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CHEMISTRY 

MADE     EASY, 

FOR    THE 

USE  OFFABMER.S. 


BY  J.  \OPHAM,  M.A. 
\\      \ 

\ 


NEW- YORK: 

C.  M.  SAXTON,  AGRICULTURAL  BOOK  PUBLISHER, 

No.    123    Fulton  Street. 

1851. 


Hp-l 


CHEMISTRY 

FOR  THE 

USE    OF    FARMERS 

BY   J.   TOPHAM,   M.  A. 


NEW-YORK: 
C.  M.  SAXTOX,  AGRICULTURAL  PUBLISHER, 

No     12  3    Fitltox  Street. 
1851. 


PREFACE  TO  FIRST  EDITION. 


An  opinion  having  been  expressed  by  an  in- 
dividual of  great  talent,  sound  judgment,  and 
elevated  station  in  society,  and  coincided  in  by 
several  gentlemen  who  were  present  at  the  time 
it  was  delivered,  that  were  an  inexpensive,  shorty 
and  easy-to-be-understood  treatise  written,  show- 
in^  in  what  manner  a  knowledge  of  Chemistry 
is  useful  to  the  business  of  agriculture,  wherein 
its  terms  are  explained,  so  as  to  be  compre- 
hended by  persons  unacquainted  with  the  lan- 
mia^e  of  science,  and  an  insight  given  into  its 
general  modes  of  action,  as  an  inducement  to 
further  inquiry,  an  essential  service  would  be 
performed  for  the  agricultural  interest  of  the 
country  ;  and  that  opinion  being  accompanied 
with  a  request,  that  the  composer  of  this  trea- 
tise would  attempt  to  furnish  such  a  deside- 
ratum, he,  after  mature  deliberation,  consented 
to  accede  to  their  wishes,  and  herewith  submits 


6  PREFACE. 

the  result  to  the  candid  consideration  of  agri- 
culturists. That  two  of  the  conditions  have 
been  accomplished,  will,  he  thinks,  be  gene- 
rally admitted;  and  if  he  shall  learn  that  the 
third  has  been  fulfilled  to  the  satisfaction  of  his 
readers,  the  highest  gratification  will  be  afforded 
to  the  feelings  of  its  author. 

Many  of  the  statements  recorded  in  the  fol- 
lowing pages  are  founded  upon  the  authority 
of  Liebig,  whose  writings  on  Organic  Chemis- 
try may  be  consulted  with  advantage,  and  will 
be  read  with  pleasure  by  every  admirer  of  sci- 
entific research  and  inductive  reasoning. 


PREFACE  TO  SECOND  EDITION. 


In  bringing  out  this  second  edition  of  the 
accompanying  treatise,  the  author  embraces  the 
opportunity  to  return  his  most  grateful  acknow- 
ledgments to  the  numerous  correspondents  who 
have  favoured  him  with  their  suggestions ;  but 
especially  his  thanks  are  due  to  the  agriculturists 
and  gentlemen,  who  have  testified  their  high 
approbation  of  his  efforts  to  render  Chemistry 
intelligible  to  farmers,  by  purchasing  copies  for 
distribution  among  their  respective  friends. 

In  this  present  edition,  which  is  considerably 
enlarged,  his  friends  will  discover  that  their 
kind  attention  has  been  duly  appreciated,  and 
he  ventures  to  hope,  that  his  attempt  to  please 
and  instruct  has  not  been  in  vain,  among  the 
class  of  readers  for  whom  his  little  volume  was 
designed  and  written. 


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OPINIONS  OF   THE   PRESS. 


This  little  work  is  worth  reading,  as  an  introduction  to  a 
aerious  inquiry  into  Chemical  Phenomena. — Gardner's 
Chron. 

No  farmer  should  be  without  this  little  inexpensive  book, 
the  perusal  of  which  will  guide  him  to  the  knowledge  it  is  so 
important  he  should  acquire.  It  is  written  in  so  clear  and 
plain  a  style,  as  to  be  intelligible  to  the  meanest  capacity, 
while  the  various  Chemical  combinations,  the  phenomena  of 
the  growth  and  nourishment  of  plants,  the  nature  of  soils, 
&c,  are  explained  in  the  most  familiar  manner. —  Worcester- 
shire Chronicle. 

The  extracts  we  have  given  are  worth  the  entire  cost  of 
the  book;  but  when  we  add,  that  it  has  hundreds  of  similar 
pleasantly  and  clearly  told  illustrations,  of  the  usefulness  of 
Chemistry  to  the  farmer,  we  think  we  have  said  quite  enough 
to  induce  all  who  think  our  judgment  worth  a  rush,  to  buy 
it. — Worcester  Herald. 

We  have  much  pleasure  in  recommending  to  the  notice 
of  our  agricultural  readers,  a  useful  and  compendious  work, 
from  the  pen  of  the  Rev.  J.  Topham,  entitled  '"Chemistry 
made  Easy."  They  will  find,  in  this  little  brochure,  many 
valuable  hints  laid  before  them,  in  the  most  simple  and  intel- 
ligible form. — Worcester  Guardian. 

A  short  but  apparently  useful  treatise,  on  that  very  inte- 
resting subject,  the  application  of  Chemistry  to  agricultural 
purposes.  It  is  written  in  easy  and  familiar  language. — 
Athenrcum. 

This  is  indeed,  although  on  a  minor  scale,  a  very  complete 
farmers'  vade  mecum  of  practical  Chemistry.  The  language 
employed  is  simple,  and  the  illustrations  are  so  clear  as  to 
become  easily  understood  by  any  ordinary  capacity. — Farm- 
ers' Journal. 


CHEMISTEY  MADE  EASY. 


"  All  nature  is  but  art,  unknown  to  thee ; 
All  chance,  direction,  which  thou  canst  not  see." 


In  the  age  in  which  we  live,  when  Mechanics' 
Institutes,  Literary  and  Scientific  Societies,  and 
Schools  of  Design,  exist  in  almost  every  city  and 
town,  professedly  established  for  imparting  to 
individuals,  of  the  middle  and  working  classes  of 
the  community,  information  which  may  be  made 
available,  in  the  respective  employments  and 
business  in  which  they  are  engaged;  will  the 
farmer  refuse  to  exert  himself,  in  the  movement 
that  is  around  him,  and  be  content  to  remain 
stationary,  while  his  humbler  neighbours  are 
active  in  the  pursuit  of  knowledge,  and  in  the 
improvement  of  their  condition,  by  means  of  the 


10  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

substantial  advantages  which  are  known  to  ac- 
company it  ? 

His  position  in  the  social  body  is  one  of  re- 
spectability, responsibility,  and  of  honour  ;  and  if 
he  is  desirous  of  fulfilling-,  efficiently,  the  duties 
which  his  station  calls  upon  him  to  discharge, 
and  of  realizing  an  independence  from  the  profits 
of  his  profession,  he  must  adapt  his  system  of 
management  to  an  improved  condition  of  rural 
economy,  and  regulate  his  farm-business  by  the 
rules  which  practice  with  science  will  teach  him. 

It  is  the  remark  of  the  wise  man,  that  "  the 
hand  of  the  diligent  maketh  rich  :"  and  daily 
experience  shows  us,  how  greatly  exercise,  both 
of  body  and  of  mind,  contributes  to  the  forma- 
tion of  human  happiness,  and  of  health.  But 
when  the  hand  of  diligence  is  directed  by  the 
head  of  wisdom,  and  the  operations  of  agricul- 
ture, or  any  art,  are  regularly  conducted  upon 
well-ascertained  principles,  then,  not  only  will 
an  immense  saving  of  capital  and  of  labour  be 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  11 

effected,  by  the  persons  who  so  act,  but  in  -watch- 
ing- the  development  of  the  system  they  shall 
have  adopted,  and  in  observing  how  all  things 
harmoniously  work  together  for  good,  when  suf- 
ficiently supplied  with  the  materials,  which  their 
respective  circumstances  require,  a  mental  gratifi- 
cation will  be  experienced,  which  no  sensual 
pleasure  can  equal,  and  if  money  is  to  be  made, 
such  individuals  will  be  most  likely  to  realize  it. 

Will  then,  I  repeat,  the  farmer  be  content  to 
remain  stationary,  while  his  humbler  neighbours 
are  acquiring  knowledge  ?  Will  he  obstinately 
despise  the  aid  of  a  science,  by  whose  instru- 
mentality his  operations  maybe  conducted,  with 
the  surest  prospect  of  profit  ?  #  This  science  is 
Chemistry  ;  and  to  the  agriculturists  it  would 
seem  to  be  indispensable. 

The  earth,  the  air,  and  Avater,  are  the  three 
o-rand  agents  by  which  he  works.  To  become 
acquainted  with  the  elementary  constituents  of 
these  several  objects  ;  to  know  something  respect- 


12  CHEMISTKY    MADE    EASY. 

ing  the  influences  they  exert  over  the  bodies 
with  which  they  come  into  contact,  and  the 
results  thereby  produced,  should,  consequently, 
be  the  first  aim  of  his  professional  ambition. 
What  is  necessary  for  all  practical  purposes,  may 
easily  be  learnt,  by  a  careful  attention  to  a  few 
simple  facts,  principles,  and  rules,  which  experi- 
mentalists shall  have  ascertained,  established, 
and  recorded ;  and  in  the  occupation  in  which 
he  shall  engage  himself,  he  will  find  no  reason 
for  regretting  the  time  he  shall  give  up,  or  the 
hiding  pecuniary  outlay  he  may  be  required  to 
incur. 

Transformations  will  present  themselves,  on 
every  side,  to  his  astonished  view,  and  in  the 
vast  laboratory  01  nature,  he  will  discover  that 
nothing  becomes  useless,  nothing  is  destroyed. 
The  dissolution  and  apparent  annihilation  of  mat- 
ter, is  but  an  operation,  in  the  wonder-working 
hand  of  the  Creator,  subservient  to  the  great  pur- 
pose of  re-production  ;  and  the  universe  teems 


CHEMISTRY    MADK    EASY.  13 

at  this  hour,  with  the  elements  necessary  to  the 
formation  of  substances,  requisite  for  the  support 
of  animal  and  vegetable  existence,  and  for  the 
well-being  and  happiness  of  animated  creation, 
as  in  the  infancy  of  the  world,  when  "God 
looked  upon  every  thing  that  he  had  made,  and 
behold  it  was  very  good." 

The  cultivation  of  such  a  science  will,  there- 
fore, be  beneficial  to  his  interests,  both  as  re- 
spects his  mind,  his  fortune,  and  his  character. 
It  will  expand  his  ideas.  It  will  enlarge  his 
knowledge.  It  will  teach  him  how  to  economize 
labour  and  pecuniary  outlay  ;  and  should  his  soul 
be  susceptible  of  holy  feelings  and  sublime  im- 
pressions, it  will  raise  .his  thoughts  from  the 
things  that  are  seen  and  made,  to  the  contem- 
plation of  the  Great  Being  who  created  them. 
It  will  show  him, 

"Tongues  in  trees,  books  in  the  running  brooks, 
Sermons  in  stones,  and  good  in  every  tiling. '' 

In  order  to  the  accurate  acquisition  of  useful 


14  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

knowledge,  it  is  necessary  that  the  mind  of  the 
inquirer  should  be  entirely  divested  of  early 
imbibed  prejudices,  and  popular  errors  ;  as  that 
there  are  four  elements — Earth,  Air,  Fire,  and 
Water  ;  such  substances  only  being  regarded  as 
elementary  bodies,  by  the  scientific,  which  the 
skill  of  man  has  been  able  to  separate  or  to  re- 
duce to  but  one  constituent;  of  which  simple  or 
elementary  principles,  the  number,  at  the  present 
period,  amounts  to  nearly  sixty. 

It  is  but  a  very  few  years  ago,  that  insects  and 
flies  were  supposed  to  owe  their  origin  to  decom- 
posed mud  and  putrid  flesh,  stones  to  grow,  and 
those  green  rings,  which  are  frequently  to  be 
observed  in  pastures,  to  be  caused  by  the  mys- 
terious agency  of  fairy  power.  But  now,  by  the 
introduction  of  a  more  enlightened  philosophy, 
the  operations  of  nature  have  become  much 
better  understood  than  formerly,  and  the  enig- 
mas, which  perplexed  our  forefathers,  have 
been  satisfactorily  explained. 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  15 

To  an  uninstructed  individual,  whose  reasoning 
and  perceptive  faculties  are  but  very  rarely- 
brought  into  activity,  in  the  exercise  of  his 
calling, 

"  The  primrose,  by  the  river's  brim, 
A  simple  primrose  is  to  him, 
And  it  is  nothing  more." 

Give  him,  however,  the  opportunity  of  culti- 
vating his  understanding,  by  means  of  books, 
lectures,  and  the  various  institutions,  which  the 
age  abundantly  affords,  and  he  will  quickly 
regard  it  under  a  different  aspect,  and  dwell, 
Avith  delighted  admiration,  on  the  variety  of  its 
parts,  the  intricacy  of  its  construction,  the  deli- 
cacy of  its  arrangements,  and  the  beautiful  adap- 
tation of  its  several  circumstances,  to  the  purposes 
they  are  designed  to  accomplish.  In  his  enlarged 
view  of  nature,  he  now  contemplates  it,  as  a 
living,  breathing,  finely-organized  structure,  pos- 
sessing organs  of  respiration,  circulation,  and 
re-production;  together  with  an  apparatus,  per- 


16  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

fectly  appointed,  for  the  conversion  of  the  food 
it  derives  from  the  earth  and  atmosphere,  into 
the  leaves,  flowers,  and  seeds,  which  it  pro- 
gressively exhibits :  and  consequently,  not  less 
worthy  of  his  admiration  than  the  animals  which 
craze  around  it. 

The  hitherto  dormant  powers  of  his  mind 
being;  once  awakened,  and  a  spirit  of  inquiry' 
pleasingly  excited,  he  is  induced  to  institute  an 
examination  into  the  reasons  why  the  business 
by  which  he  lives  hath  been  conducted  by  a 
particular  uniform  sys-tem  ;  and,  (if  a  farmer,) 
perceiving  its  incompleteness,  he  resolves  upon  a 
change  ;  and  the  question  that  suggests  itself  to 
his  consideration  is,  what  is  the  soundest,  and, 
therefore,  probably,  the  most  profitable  method 
I  can  adopt,  successfully  to  accomplish  the  object 
I  have  in  view  ?  To  which  the  answer  is,  work 
with  those  implements,  which  mechanics  shall 
have  improved ;  and  in  conformity  with   those 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  17 

rules,  and  modes  of  action,  which  Chemistry 
will  teach  you. 

Observation  and  experience  will,  indeed,  in- 
struct men  in  many  things  which  may  be  ad- 
vantageously put  into  practice,  in  the  ordinary 
operations  of  a  farm;  but  it  is  only  by  being 
acquainted  with  the  laws  and  methods  by  which 
nature  performs  her  work,  and  by  conducting 
their  business  with  a  knowledge  of  the  con- 
stituents of  the  various  materials,  which  they 
are  necessitated  to  employ,  and  by  means  of  a 
system,  calculated  to  produce  certain  results, 
that  their  chances  of  incurring  disappointment 
and  pecuniary  loss  are  incalculably  diminished; 
and  they  are  enabled  to  account  for  circum- 
stances, should  their  plans  sometimes  fail,  and 
their  crops,  in  the  time  of  harvest,  prove  defec- 
tive. 

Experience  will  inform  them,  in  which  pas- 
tures on  their  estates,  or  by  what  description  of 
food,  oxen  and  sheep  can  be   readiest  fed,  and 


18  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

prepared  for  market ;  but  it  is  Chemistry  which 
will  show  them,  that  the  flesh,  which  covers 
their  bones,  is  to  be  found  ready  formed,  as  to 
its  constituents,  in  the  herbage  they  consume  ; 
point  out  the  plants,  the  seeds,  and  roots,  most 
rich  in  the  qualities  requisite  to  produce  the 
result  desired ;  and  enumerate  the  various  pro- 
perties which  the  soil  must  possess,  to  afford  the 
plants  the  proper  nourishment  which  their  cir- 
cumstances shall  require,  in  order  fully  to  com- 
plete their  germination,  and  mature  their  seeds; 
and  thus,  during  their  growth,  and  when  ripe, 
be  made  to  communicate  their  virtues  to  the 
respective  animals  which  shall  feed  upon  them. 
It  is  Chemistry  which  will  teach  them  that  the 
seed  of  wheat  is,  in  a  great  measure,  constituted 
of  three  elementary  bodies,  which,  after  being 
imbibed  from  the  soil  and  atmosphere,  are 
converted  into  a  sweet  fluid,  (sugar,)  which  fills 
the  vessels  of  the  green  stalk  that  supports  the 
ear ;  and  are,  in  that  ear,  afterwards  transformed, 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  19 

by  a  slight  alteration  of  the  quantity  of  two  of 
the  elements  spoken  of,  into  the  starch  or  farina, 
which,  more  especially,  renders  the  corn  valua- 
ble ;  and  that,  to  afford  the  plant  the  means  of 
most  efficiently  carrying  on  its  operations  and 
transformations,  it  must  be  supplied  with  those 
properties,  whereof  the  soil  shall  be  deficient,  by 
a  judicious  application  of  such  materials  as  are 
known  to  possess  the  qualities  of  which  it  is  in 
want,  and  in  a  state  to  communicate  them,  when 
its  circumstances  may  require  them. 

Every  agriculturist  being  acquainted  with  the 
well-established  fact,  that  grasses,  cut  before 
they  are  fully  ripe,  are  generally  much  more 
valuable  as  food  to  cattle,  than  afterwards,  on 
account  of  the  sweet  juices  with  which  they 
generally  abound,  I  am  somewhat  surprised  that 
Indian  corn,  (which,  from  its  seldom  maturing 
its  seeds,  in  the  climate  of  Britain,  is  rarely  to 
be  seen  in  the  fields  of  this  country,)  is  not 
most  extensively  cultivated,   as    a   green  crop, 


20  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

for  that  especial  purpose.  For  while  in  this  con- 
dition, it  is  superabundant  in  saccharine  fluids, 
important  to  the  formation  of  animal  fat;  and, 
consequently,  worthy  of  greater  attention,  from 
farmers,  than  it  appears,  hitherto,  to  have  re- 
ceived. 

Our  clever  calculating  friends,  on  the  other 
side  of  the  Atlantic,  are,  however,  wide  awake 
to  its  advantages  and  usefulness,  and  grow  it 
abundantly,  not  only  for  the  sake  of  the  vast 
yield  of  seed  which  it  affords,  but  also  as  a  pro- 
fitable nutriment  for  their  herds ;  and  who,  in 
many  parts,  after  they  have  crushed  and  pressed 
the  stalks,  manufacture  the  liquor  extracted  into 
very  excellent  sugar. 

The  vast  importance  of  understanding  the  na- 
ture and  properties  of  manures  being  alluded  to, 
in  a  foregoing  page,  it  ma)r  not  be  here  out  of 
place  to  say  a  few  words,  on  an  expensive  foreign 
production,  reported  to  be  the  excrement  of  cer- 
tain  sea-birds,   and   recently  introduced    to  the 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY  21 

notice  of  agriculturists,  under  the  name  of 
Guano,  and  in  the  purchasing  of  which,  indivi- 
duals may  he  very  seriously  taken  in,  if  they  are 
unable  to  distinguish  an  adulterated  manufacture 
from  the  genuine  article,  which  the  high  price  of 
the  material  will  induce  unprincipled  persons  to 
imitate.  By  procuring  it  from  the  warehouses 
of  respectable  merchants,  this  risk  will,  in  a 
great  measure,  be  avoided.  Of  its  astonishing 
powers  of  promoting  vegetation,  there  can  be  no 
dispute,  when  it  shall  be  applied  to  the  land, 
before  it  has  been  long  exposed  to  the  moisture 
of  the  atmosphere,  and  is  unmixed  with  sub- 
stances which  deteriorate  its  value. 

But  although  it  may  be  applied  to  the  soil,  both 
fresh  and  genuine,  still  various  circumstances 
must  be  attended  to,  if  the  advantages  it  is  capa- 
ble of  rendering  vegetation  are  to  be  realized, 
from  its  employment.  The  quality  of  the  land 
on  which  it  is  about  to  be  tried,  ought,  in  the 
lirst  place,  to  be  carefully  ascertained,  and  also 


22  CHEMISTRY   MADE    EASY. 

the  description  of  the  manure  with  which  it  may 
recently  have  been  dressed.  For  if  it  should  be 
commingled  with  substances,  for  which  its  con- 
stituents possess  an  affinity,  (as  lime  or  vegeta- 
ble-ashes,) you  will  prematurely  disengage  the 
properties  which  the  plants  shall  require,  and 
thus,  eventually,  lose  both  your  manure  and 
your  crop. 

As  all  vegetables  imbibe  their  nourishment 
while  it  is  in  a  state  of  solution,  moisture  must 
therefore  be  present  to  effect  this  condition,  or 
the  guano  will  remain  inert,  until  a  shower  of 
rain  shall  descend,  or  artificial  watering  shall  be 
administered.  Indeed  it  is  highly  probable,  that 
from  inattention  to  these  and  other  objects,  neces- 
sary to  the  proper  decomposition  of  the  com- 
pound, failures  frequently  have  occurred,  and 
the  manure  has  been  thus  unfairly  condemned  ; 
whereas,  had  the  state  of  the  weather,  as  to 
wind,  rain,  sunshine,  or  clouds,  and  also  the 
nature  of  the  soil  on   which  it  was   used,  been 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  23 

correctly  noticed  and  reported,  then  proper 
allowances  would  have  been  made,  according  to 
the  circumstances  of  the  case,  and  the  experi 
ment  received  its  proportionate  value. 

The  foregoing  remarks  are  equally  applicable 
to  nitrate  of  soda,  or  sulphate  of  ammonia, 
of  potass,  and  other  compounds  of  a  similar 
character,  which,  if  purchased  without  know- 
ledge, and  used  without  judgment,  will  most 
assuredly  prove  expensive,  and,  in  the  end,  cause 
disappointment. 

This  knowledge,  I  again  repeat,  is  to  be  acquir- 
ed from  a  slender  acquaintance  with  the  common 
principles  of  Chemistry,  and  may  be  obtained,  for 
most  practicable  purposes  in  husbandry,  by  dedi- 
cating a  few  spare  hours  in  every  week  to  read- 
ing, experiments,  observation,  and  reflection. 

It  is,  however,  absolutely  necessary  to  the 
efficiency  of  manures,  whether  artificial  or  other- 
wise, that  the  fields  to  which  they  shall  be  applied, 
shall  have  been  carefully  drained.     For  although 


&4  CHEMISTRY   MADE    EASY. 

a  running  stream,  suffered  periodically  to  irrigate 
a  portion  of  a  farm,  is  one  of  the  most  active 
fertilizers  of  the  soil  with  which  we  are  acquainted, 
stagnant  water,  either  on  the  surface,  or  in  con- 
tact with  the  roots  of  plants,  is  a  deadly  poison ; 
such  river  water  or  running  stream,  besides  hold- 
ing mineral  and  saline  matter,  both  in  suspension 
and  solution,  abounds  also  in  animalcule,  called 
infusoria,  whose  minute  bodies,  by  infiltration  of 
the  fluid,  become  incorporated  with  the  land,  and, 
on  decomposition,  afford  ammonia  to  the  plants 
which  cover  its  surface,  and  thus  increase  its 
productiveness. 

Having  already  premised,  in  a  former  page, 
that  plants  principally  derive  their  solids  and 
other  properties,  from  the  soil  in  which  they 
grow;  and  are  rich  in  cattle-nourishment,  or  in 
seed-produce,  in  proportion  as  they  shall  be 
supplied  with  food,  necessary  for  the  full  de- 
velopment of  their  organization  and  vigorous 
health  ;  it  is  the  interest  of  the  agriculturist,  to 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  25 

learn  what  are  the  conditions  that  are  necessary 
to  the  profitable  cultivation  of  his  farm,  and  to 
adapt  these  to  his  purposes,  as  extensively  as 
circumstances  will  permit.  For  it  is  well  known, 
to  men  of  science,  that  samples  of  wheat,  (for 
example,)  which  are  alike  to  all  outward  appear- 
ance, and  have  been  produced  from  the  same 
seed,  sown  upon  different  descriptions  of  land, 
are  found  widely  to  vary  in  the  qualities  which 
most  especially  constitute  its  worth ;  the  one 
being  abundant  in  the  yield  of  flour,  the  other 
exuberant  in  bran. 

In  a  farm,  of  any  considerable  extent,  the 
fields  will  be  different,  as  to  the  aspect  in  which 
they  lie,  and  the  nature  of  the  soil  of  which  they 
are  composed.  Hills,  and  valleys,  and  plains, 
diversify  the  face  of  the  country  ;  and,  by  the  wise 
arrangement  in  which  they  are  disposed,  con- 
tribute to  render  it  both  beautiful  and  fruitful. 

Some  localities  will  be  rich  in  decayed  vege- 
table-matter, marl,  clay,  lime,  and  certain  agents 


26  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

called  salts ;  which,  although  invisible  to  the 
eye,  and  imperceptible  to  the  taste,  perform 
a  most  important  service  in  the  process  of  rural 
economy.  Others  will  possess  clay  and  sand  in 
superabundance,  and  be  defective  in  vegetable 
matter  and  marl ;  while  a  third  shall  be  formed 
altogether  of  sand  and  gravel. 

The  grand  desideratum,  therefore,  of  the  agri- 
culturist is,  to  know  how  to  commingle  these 
respective  ingredients,  so  that  his  lands  shall 
possess  the  qualities  which  are  likely  to  afford 
the  greatest  supply  of  nourishment,  for  raising 
to  perfect  maturity  the  crops,  arising  from  the 
seeds  which  shall  have  been  sown  between  their 
furrows,  and  which,  to  a  considerable  degree, 
may  be  accomplished  by  the  transposition  of 
certain  descriptions  of  earth,  from  localities 
wherein  they  are  abundant,  to  the  fields  in  which 
they  are  not  present,  and  wanted. 

For  example ; — if  wheat  be  sown  upon  a 
soil,  composed,  in  a  great  measure,  of  decayed 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  27 

vegetation,  (as  peat-earth,)  the  plant  will  flourish 
in  a  most  extraordinary  manner,  for  a  period, 
and,  by  its  luxuriant  appearance,  promise  the 
farmer  an  abundant  return  in  harvest;  and 
could  it  but  fortunately  sustain  the  exuberance  of 
its  germination,  no  doubt  the  produce  would  be 
equal  to  his  fondest  anticipations.  But  to  insure 
this  most  desirable  result,  it  is  necessary  that  the 
stalk  should  be  incased  in  a  cylinder  of  flint,  and 
if  sand  is  not  present,  and  an  alkali,  to  aid  in  its 
solution,  the  plant  will  bend  and  fall  under  the 
load,  which  its  well-gorged  organs  shall  have 
accumulated,  and  the  cultivator  be  disappointed 
of  the  rich  remuneration  it  promised  him. 

The  most  careless  observer  of  the  various 
herbage  which  clothes  with  verdure  the  hills,  the 
valleys,  and  plains  of  the  country  in  which  he 
lives,  will  not  have  failed  to  have  remarked  that 
plants  which  are  common  to  sandy  lands,  are  not 
generally  to  be  found  growing  on  marly  ground  ; 
but  that  loamy,  chalky,  and  gravelly  soils,  have 


28  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

each  their  peculiar  and  appropriate  vegetation  ; 
and  it  is  an  ascertained  fact,  that  when  such  plants 
are  removed  to  soils  of  a  different  nature  to  that 
on  which  they  flourish,  they  speedily  become 
stunted  in  their  growth,  and,  in  a  short  time, 
droop  and  disappear. 

The  object  of  the  farmer  should  therefore  be, 
to  cultivate  such  species  of  plants  as  experience 
shall  have  shown  him  the  land  will  naturally 
vigorously  support,  or  to  add  to  it  those  vegetable, 
saline,  or  mineral  substances,  which  are  known  to 
be  necessary  to  their  healthy  existence,  wherever 
such  shall  be  known  to  be  wanting.  Thus  v/ill 
he  reduce  his  system  of  husbandry  to  a  similar 
standard  of  accuracy,  to  that  which  most  of  the 
arts  have  already  attained,  and  also  be  able  to 
render  productive  and  profitable,  lands  which 
had  hitherto  been  considered  as  comparatively 
barren  and  worthless. 

If  attention  is  to  be  given  to  the  nature  and 
management  of  the  soils,  in  which  grain,  pulse. 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  29 

and  tuberous-rooted  vegetables,  are  to  be  cul- 
tivated, no  less  diligence  is  to  be  used,  in  ascer- 
taining the  merits  of  that,  on  which  green-crops 
are  to  be  raised,  for  the  support  or  feed  of  cattle. 
For  in  the  fibres,  juices,  seeds,  and  tubers  of 
these,  respectively,  exist  the  very  ilesh  and  blood 
which  show  themselves,  afterwards,  in  the  bodies 
of  the  horses,  oxen,  or  sheep,  which  formerly 
pastured  on  them;  so  that  by  supplying  his 
stock  with  certain  descriptions  of  vegetable  pro- 
vender, and  in  different  stages  of  maturity,  their 
owner  will  be  enabled  to  render  them  sinewy  or 
plump,  as  the  circumstances  may  require,  or  his 
fancy  may  lead  him. 

What  those  materials  are,  which  produce  such 
results,  have  been  ascertained  by  chemists,  and 
separated  from  the  respective  herbage  and  seeds 
in  which  they  are  elaborated  and  exist.  Their 
nature  and  properties  will  be  attempted  to  be 
explained  in  another  part  of  this  treatise,  and 
which,  if  at  any  time  deficient  in  the  food  that  is 


30 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 


afforded,  the  cattle  will  be  stinted  in  size,  and  in 
their  appearance,  unhealthy. 

Fat,  be  it  however  remembered,  is  not  a 
necessary  condition  of  vitality,  but  a  redundant 
material,  extracted  from  food  which  animals  con- 
sume, and  deposited  in  various  parts  of  their 
bodies,  after  the  wants  of  nature  shall  have 
been  satisfied,  as  far  as  respects  the  re-produc- 
tion of  those  portions  of  their  organization, 
which  are  constantly  subject  to  flux  and  change  ; 
and  is  principally  constituted  of  an  element 
termed  Carbon. 

The  food  of  animals  consisting  chiefly  of 
fibrinous  and  carbonaceous  materials,  after  being 
received  into  the  system,  the  latter  unites  with 
that  element  of  the  air  which,  inspired,  and  also 
taken  up  in  the  saliva,  generates  heat,  producing 
the  animal  heat  of,  the  body;  whilst  the  former 
is  deposited  as  flesh  ;  which  heat,  if  rapidly  car- 
ried oft"  either  through  violent  exercise,  or  by 
chilling  blasts  of  wind,  will  be  supplied  from  the 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  31 

carbon  which  this  oily  substance  will  afford  ; 
from  which  circumstance,  we  learn  the  reason 
why,  in  the  preparation  of  cattle  for  the  butcher, 
abundance  of  suitable  provender,  quietness,  and 
warmth,  are  essentially  necessary  to  a  huge  for- 
mation of  this  much-prized  desideratum ;  and 
also  why  mountain-pastured  sheep,  hares,  and 
other  animals,  which  are  compelled  to  activity 
in  a  state  of  nature,  never  treat  us  with  a  taste 
of  their  fat ;  and  should  the  reader  agree  with 
the  facetious  gentleman,  who  asserted   that  he 

"  Who  feeds  fat  oxen  should  himself  be  fat," 
I  have  no  doubt  he  might,  (with  healthy  organs 
to  aid  him,)  by  adopting  a  similar  course  of  pro- 
ceeding to  that  pointed  out,  in  the  foregoing  lines, 
effectually  accomplish  the  object  of  his  ambition. 
The  bodies  of  cattle  and  of  mankind  may  there- 
lore  be  regarded  as  a  species  of  natural  stove,  the 
heat  of  which  becomes  raised  or  lowered,  accord- 
ing as  the  circulation  of  the  blood,  through  the 
lungs,  is  quickened  or  retarded,  by  immoderate 


32  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EAST. 

exercise  or  otherwise  ;  the  fuel  being  supplied 
from  the  carbon  of  the  food,  and  which,  if  not 
present  in  the  blood,  in  sufficient  quantities  to 
combine  with  the  oxygen  of  the  air,  will  be  ab- 
stracted from  the  fat,  or  from  solid  portions  of 
the  body,  of  importance  to  health  and  life. 

Of  late  years,  much  has  been  spoken  and 
written,  upon  the  propriety  of  giving  common 
salt  to  cattle,  and  of  employing  it  largely  in  the 
cultivation  of  land  ;  but  of  its  virtues,  in  the 
one  case,  and  of  its  advantages  in  the  other,  I, 
with  submission,  think  that  very  great  doubt  may 
be  entertained.  For  except  in  protecting  the 
young  plant  from  the  ravages  of  slugs  and  wire- 
worms,  and  from  the  property  it  possesses  of  ab- 
stracting- moisture  from  the  atmosphere,  (and  in 
dry  seasons  being  thus  slightly  useful  to  plants 
growing  on  light  and  sandy  soils,)  it  can  be  only 
of  small  service,  or  contribute  but  little  to  the 
process  of  vegetation  ;  and  although  one  of  the 
ingredients  of  which  it  is  composed,  (soda,)  is 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY, 


33 


necessary  to  the  perfection  of  animal  life,  yet  it 
has  been  ascertained,  by  experiments,  that  when 
copiously  given  to  cattle,  (if  not  absolutely  detri- 
mental to  their  health,)  is  a  positive  preventive 
of  their  feeding;  and  should,  consequently, 
always  be  used  sparingly,  and  with  discretion,  by 
the  persons  who  may  be  induced  to  employ  it. 

Though  such  is  my  opinion,  yet  it  is  only  pro- 
per to  state,  that  agriculturists,  of  experience 
and  credit,  have  asserted  that  common  salt,  well 
incorporated  with  quick  lime,  (in  the  proportion 
of  two  parts  of  the  latter  to  one  of  the  former 
substance,)  and  copiously  spread  upon  soils  in  the 
spring,  has  materially  increased  the  crops,  both 
of  grass  and  of  corn  ;  and  that  these  minerals,  so 
incorporated  and  sprinkled  over  layers  of  weeds, 
collected  into  a  heap,  have  speedily  converted 
the  same  into  a  most  fertilizing  compost. 

It  is  a  fact,  well  known  to  every  cultivator  of 
the  land,  and  breeder  of  cattle,  that  wherever 
3 


34  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

his  stock  shall  have  deposited  their  urine,  in  the 
pastures  in  which  they  have  grazed,  vigorous 
clumps  of  dark  green  herbage  speedily  distin- 
guish the  spot,  and  wave  their  streaming  verdure 
high  above  the  grass  which  grows  around  them. 
Which  circumstances  should  suggest  to  him  the 
propriety  of  devising  means  of  preventing,  as 
much  as  possible,  the  escape  of  this  fertilizing 
friend  of  farmers,  from'  his  dung-heaps,  and  his 
fold-yards  ;  and  cause  him  to  husband,  carefully, 
what  shall  be  collected  in  the  slop-pail  of  his 
chamber-maid. 

Indeed,  were  subterranean  tanks  constructed 
under  those  private  retiring  places,  provided  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  markets,  manufactories, 
poor-law  unions,  railway  stations,  and  schools, 
much  of  the  money,  now  expended  in  the  pur- 
chase of  guano,  might  be  profitably  saved,  and 
one  of  the  most  potent  and  valuable  manures 
accumulated  at  our  very  doors ;  and  that  which, 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  35 

as  yet,  has  never  occurred,  except  in  the  imagina- 
tion of  the  poet,  who  asserts, — 

"A  time  there  was,  ere  England's  griefs  began, 
When  every  rood  of  ground  maintained  its  man;" 

by  adopting  the  arrangement  here  recommended, 
and  applying  to  the  soil  the  material  collected, 
may,  in  reality,  hereafter  be  brought  to  pass. 

For  such,  being  diluted  with  pond-water,  and 
distributed  plentifully  over  meadow-land,  from 
a  proper  machine,  would  quickly  occasion  an  in- 
crease in  the  herbage,  which  liquor  from  the  gas- 
works only  would  occasion,  equal  in  amount, 
and  which,  where  it  can  be  procured  from  a  place 
within  a  convenient  distance  for  drawing,  and 
purchased  at  a  reasonable  price,  and  applied  to 
the  land  in  rainy  weather,  will  promptly  manifest 
its  astonishing  virtues,  and  amply  reward  the 
person  who  shall  use  it. 

It  is  not  from  his  fold-yard  and  dwelling-house 
only,  that  things  important  to  agriculture  are 
permitted  to  run   to  waste,  but  in   the  morning, 


36  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

when  he  visits  his  stables  for  the  purpose  of  in- 
specting his  horses,  the  master  is  often  assailed, 
on  his  entrance,  by  a  spirit  (of  hartshorn,)  so 
energetic  in  its  attack,  as  sensibly  to  affect  both 
his  nose  and  his  eyes,  and  which,  not  unfrequently, 
exerts  a  baneful  influence  over  the  health  and 
vision  of  the  animals  exposed  to  the  action  of  its 
corrosive  breath,  but  which,  when  laid  under  the 
turf,  by  the  charm  of  the  chemist,  will  richly 
benefit  the  soil  wherein  its  decomposition  is 
accomplished.  But,  as  Mrs.  Glasse  informs  her 
readers,  they  must  first  catch  their  hare,  before 
they  can  cook  and  eat  it,  so  must  a  snare  be  set 
for  the  spirit  which  we  wish  to  render  subservient 
to  our  views,  before  we  can  control  it  at  our 
pleasure,  or  use  it  for  our  profit.  This  is  to  be 
done  by  presenting  such  matters  to  its  notice  as 
we  may  have  heard  are  likely  to  attract  its 
attention.  Thus,  if  gypsum  be  at  hand,  and  is 
placed  in  a  roughly  broken  state,  in  a  reservoir, 
under   a   grating,    in    the   stalls    in    which    the 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  37 

animals  stand,  this  object  may  be  obtained,  and 
the  spirit  entrapped.  Or  if  such  substance  is  not 
to  be  found  upon  the  estate,  then  the  same 
result  may  be  secured,  by  spreading  dried  turf, 
pared  and  brought  from  the  boggy  portions  of 
the  farm,  or  burnt  clay,  beneath  the  straw 
which  constitutes  their  bedding;  and  whilst  a 
most  invaluable  manure  will  thus  be  collected, 
which  was  previously  lost,  the  stable-atmosphere 
will  be  rendered  sweet  and  salubrious,  which  had 
been  disagreeable,  noxious,  and  unhealthy,  to 
the  horses  which  inhaled  it. 

The  page  of  history  and  our  own  observation 
inform  us,  that  the  brute  creation,  like  their  mas- 
ters, are  frequently  subject  to  diseases,  which 
have  their  origin  in  causes  but  very  little  under- 
stood;  and  are,  consequently,  sometimes  beyond 
the  power  of  human  skill  to  cure  or  alleviate. 
Indeed  it  was  observed  in  periods  as  remote  as 
the  plague  of  Athens  and  the  siege  of  Troy,  that 
pestilences,  of  direful  character,  first  tried  their 


38  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

power  upon  animals,  before  they  assailed  the 
human  family  ; — 

"With  mules  and  clogs  th'  infection  first  began, 
At  last,  the  vengeful  arrows  fix'd  on  man ;" 

and  when  we  reflect  upon  the  insidious  manner 
in  which  fevers  sometimes  steal  into  our  dwell- 
ings, and  suddenly  snatch  from  us  the  fond  ob- 
jects of  our  affections  and  hopes,  it  is  not  impro- 
bable that  these  mysterious  destroyers  of  men 
and  beasts  may  be  caused  by  exhalations  from 
the  earth,  or  by  invisible  insects,  hatched  under 
peculiar  states  of  the  atmosphere,  favourable  to 
their  production,  or  by  malaria,  occasioned  by  the 
rapid  decomposition  of  vegetable-matter  in  sultry 
weather,  (which  we  know  occasions  ague,)  and 
consequently  creatures  which  are  necessitated  to 
respire  near  the  surface  of  the  ground,  whilst  in 
the  acquisition  of  their  food,  are  likely  to  be  the 
first  to  imbibe  the  poison,  and  by  the  effects  pro- 
duced on  them,  apprize  us  of  the  approach  to- 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  '.¥.) 

wards  our  dwellings  of  a  dangerous  and  destruc- 
tive enemy. 

Happily,  however,  chemistry  has  discovered 
an  agent,  which,  in  many  cases,  will  crush  the 
dreaded  foe ;  and  should  one  of  your  horses  or 
your  cattle  be  attacked  with  disease,  its  farther 
progress  among  your  stock  may  generally  bo 
arrested,  by  placing  in  a  saucer  a  small  piece  of 
common  salt,  and  occasionally  moistening  it  with 
about  a  tea-spoonful  of  oil  of  vitriol,  by  which 
simple  proceeding,  the  remaining  portion  of  your 
cattle  will,  most  probably,  be  preserved  from 
contagion  and  destruction,  and  your  family  not 
subjected  to  the  distress  which  so  melancholy  an 
event  would  naturally  occasion. 

The  rot  in  sheep,  which  is  a  disease  similar 
to  the  typhus  fever,  in  man,  is  known  to  be 
occasioned  by  the  animals  pasturing  on  damp 
ground  ;  and  it  is  stated  that,  in  close  muggy 
weather,  a  whole  flock  has  been  plague-stricken 
in   less  than  a  quarter  of  an   hour.     In    former 


40  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

times,  a  very  serious  loss  was  not  unfrequenlly 
incurred  by  the  occupiers  of  sheep-farms,  from 
extensive  ravages  of  this  fatal  disorder  ;  but  such 
accidents,  in  our  days,  have  happily  become  rare, 
from  greater  attention  being  paid  to  draining, 
and  other  improved  methods  of  management,  in 
every  department  of  husbandry. 

As  serious  losses  sometimes  happen  to  farmers, 
from  carelessness  as  to  the  mode  in  which  their 
flocks  or  herds  are  penned  and  housed,  I  would 
here  call  their  attention,  especially,  to  this  branch 
of  their  business. 

Knowing  that  all  living  animals,  for  the  healthy 
performance  of  their  functions,  require  abundance 
of  atmospheric  air;  without  this  necessary  in- 
gredient be  sufficiently  supplied  them,  they  will 
speedily  become  sickly  and  ill-favoured.  Indeed 
both  men  and  brutes,  when  crowded  together,  in 
badly-ventilated  apartments,  exude  a  peculiarly 
noxious  effluvium,  which,  in  the  human  being,  oc- 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  41 

casions  fatal  diseases  ;  in  the  horse,  the  glanders  ; 
in  dogs,  the  distemper ;  and  in  fowls,  the  pip. 

In  respect  to  the  employment  of  green  herbage, 
in  raising  crops  of  grain,  pulse,  or  tuberous- 
rooted  vegetables,  and  of  the  propriety  of  grow- 
ing certain  descriptions  of  plants  to  be  available 
for  this  purpose,  with  the  prospect  of  obtaining 
a  profitable  remuneration,  much  difference  of 
opinion  among  agriculturists,  I  am  aware,  exists; 
and  the  locality  of  the  estate,  and  the  peculiar 
quality  of  the  land,  have  probably  much  to  do 
with  the  question  at  issue. 

Such  species  of  herbage  can  only  be  advan- 
tageous, so  far  as,  by  its  deeper  rooting,  it  is 
enabled  to  extract,  from  the  sub-soil,  those  pro- 
perties which  the  crop,  it  is  designed  to  manure, 
has  not  the  capacity  to  reach  ;  and  the  adaptation 
of  this  system  to  his  customary  mode  of  culture, 
must  be  decided  by  the  circumstances  and 
judgment  of  the  agriculturist. 

If,  however,  an  individual   living  at  a  great 


42  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

distance  from  towns  and  places  where  manures 
are  readily  to  be  procured,  should  be  desirous  of 
trying  such  mode  of  cultivation,  or  of  extending 
it  farther  than  he  has  hitherto  attempted,  from 
being  but  imperfectly  acquainted  with  the  kind 
of  herbage  generally  grown  for  such  purpose  ;  he 
will  find  the  names  of  plants  suitable,  in  a  treatise 
lately  translated  into  English,  together  with  the 
constituents  of  which  they  are  formed,  as  recently 
determined  by  a  scientific  German  chemist  ;* 
and  from  this  work  he  can  select  those  which 
may  seem  likely  to  suit  his  views ;  always  bear- 
ing in  remembrance,  that  the  soil  on  which  they 
are  employed  should  be  light  and  sandy;  and 
when  the  herbage  is  ploughed  in,  the  plant 
should  be  in  flower. 

*  Sprengel. 


CHEMISTRY  MADE  EASY. 


"The  very  law  that  moulds  a  tear, 
And  bids  it  trickle  from  its  source, 
That  law  preserves  the  earth  a  sphere, 
And  guides  the  planets  in  their  course." 


Having,  in  the  foregoing-  pages,  endeavoured 
to  show  the  advantages  which  practice,  in  union 
with  science,  will  necessarily  produce,  in  what- 
soever art  or  business  their  powers  shall  be 
jointly  engaged  ;  and  presuming  that  most  of  my 
readers  are  well  versed  in  the  former,  as  far  as 
relates  to  the  mere  operative  part  of  their  voca- 
tion, and  but  few  acquainted  with  the  latter, 
so  as  to  be  able  to  trace  the  modes  of  action  of 
the  agents  they  usually  employ;  I  shall  now 
attempt,  as  plainly  as  the  subject  will  admit,  to 
set  before  them  so  much  information,  in  Chemis- 

•13 


44  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

try,  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  clear  comprehen- 
sion of  the  terms  (viz. :  the  things  they  represent) 
which  it  uses  ;  to  show  the  manner  in  which 
chemical  action  is  performed ;  the  multifarious 
objects  over  which  its  influence  extends;  and 
the  method  by  which  it  explains  the  qualities, 
and  exposes  the  constituents  of  the  respective 
objects  on  which  a  farmer's  attention  and  capital 
are  usually  exercised. 

Chemistry  is  the  science  which  enables  us  to 
investigate  the  mutual  action  of  bodies  upon  each 
other;  to  unravel  the  web  of  nature,  and  thus 
discover  the  elements  of  which  the  things  that 
are  around  us  are  constituted.  It  performs  its 
operations  by  a  play  of  combinations  and  decom- 
positions ;  of  likes  and  dislikes  ;  through  which 
it  unites  dissimilar  substances,  into  new  com- 
pounds, totally  unlike  in  appearance  and  quali- 
ties, to  the  ingredients  of  which  they  were  com- 
posed. This  it  docs,  not  in  masses,  or  at 
random ;    but    in    definite    proportions,    and    by 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  45 

indivisible  quantities,  situated  at  an  inconceivably 
small  distance  from  each  other. 

It  informs  us  of  particular  bodies  which  the 
skill  of  man  has,  as  yet,  been  unable  to  decom- 
pose, styled  elements ;  of  gases,  acids,  salts, 
alkalies,  earths,  and  oxides,  by  the  combination 
of  which,  under  certain  modified  forms  and  quali- 
ties, the  whole  material  pari  of  the  universe  is 
constructed,  renovated,  and  kept  in  being-.  Such 
of  these  as  shall  have  connection  with  the  pur- 
pose in  view,  I  shall  now  bring,  briefly,  under 
your  notice  and  consideration ;  premising-  the 
subject  with  the  observation,  that  in  all  chemical 
action,  heat  is  disengaged  ;  as  is  most  powerfully 
manifested  to  the  senses,  during  the  decomposi- 
tion of  a  heap  of  stable  manure  ;  and  is  present  in 
every  material,  either  in  hidden,  or  perceptible 
form.  It  is  the  cause  of  fluidity,  and  known  to 
men  of  science  by  the  name  of  caloric  ;  and 
when  abstracted  from  water,  the  latter  becomes 
a  solid  mass,  (ice.") 


46  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

Two  modes  are  used  in  investigating  the  na- 
ture of  objects,  desired  to  be  ascertained,  viz. :  by 
effecting  the  union  of  two  or  more  substances, 
into  one  compound,  called  synthesis;  and  by 
disuniting  the  ingredient,  of  which  a  substance 
is  constituted,  and  exhibiting  them  in  a  separate 
state,  termed  analysis. 

There  are  two  descriptions  of  analysis,  the 
qualitative  and  quantitative.  An  examination  of 
the  first  kind  is  2>erformed,  simply,  by  means  of 
re-agents  or  teats,  which,  by  producing  a  known 
change  or  appearance  in  the  solution  into  which 
they  are  poured,  indicate  the  nature  and  number 
of  the  particular  substances  it  holds  dissolved  ; 
whilst,  as  considerable  skill  in  manipulation  is 
required  for  the  management  of  the  second,  and 
accuracy  in  weighing,  to  ascertain  the  quantities 
of  the  results  thrown  down  or  precipitated,  it 
can  seldom  be  effected  properly,  except  by  an 
experienced  chemist. 

Elementary    bodies    are   the    metals,  oxygen, 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  47 

hydrogen,  nitrogen,  carbon,  silicon,  sulphur, 
phosphorus,  chlorine,  &c. 

The  metals,  of  which  there  are  in  number 
forty-two,  are  obtained  in  different  stages  of 
purity,  from  the  various  strata  of  the  earth,  or  in 
combination  with  acids  and  other  substances. 
When  extracted  from  their  ores,  they  possess,  in 
general,  lustre,  opacity,  and  fusibility  ;  and  many 
of  them  malleability,  and  the  capability  of  being 
drawn  into  wire. 

Oxygen  exists  pure  only  as  a  gas ;  which  is 
a  substance,  in  a  permanently  aeriform  condition, 
and  is  that  constituent  of  atmospheric  air,  by 
which  the  respiration  of  men  and  animals  is 
supported.  It  enters  largely  into  union  with 
metals,  &c;  and  is  the  principal  cause  of  sour- 
ness, rustiness,  and  rottenness. 

Hydrogen  is  also  a  gaseous  body,  and,  in  com- 
bination with  oxygen,  forms  water.  It  is  one  of 
the  most  universally  diffused  elements  in  creation, 


48  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

is  eminently  combustible,  and  the  lightest  of  all 
known  substances. 

Nitrogen  is  of  a  similar  nature  to  the  two 
foregoing,  existing  separately  only  as  an  elastic 
invisible  gas,  and  enters  largely,  as  a  diluent, 
into  the  composition  of  the  atmospheric  air.  It 
is  characterized  by  its  inaptitude  to  combine 
with  other  elements.  It  exists  in  vegetables, 
and  constitutes  a  principal  portion  of  the  flesh 
of  animals.  It  * abounds  in  ripe  grasses,  espe- 
cially in  their  seeds ;  also  in  peas,  beans,  and 
vetches. 

Carbon  is  the  basis  of  coal,  oils,  and  fat,  and 
constitutes  nearly  the  whole  of  the  solid  parts 
of  trees  and  vegetables. 

Silicon  is  derived  from  flint  and  sand. 

Sulphur  is  a  yellow  inflammable  substance, 
obtained  generally  from  the  neighbourhood  of 
volcanoes. 

Phosphorus  is  an  inflammable  substance,  de- 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  49 

rived  from  bones,  urine,  &c,  and  is  to  be  found 
in  most  vegetables,  especially  in  wheat,  oats,  &c 

Chlorine  exists  as  a  green-coloured  gas. 

Acids  are  substances  which,  when  applied  to 
the  tongue,  usually  produce  the  sensation  termed 
sourness,  and  most  commonly  contain  oxygen. 
The  compounds  they  form,  in  union  with  other 
bodies,  are  known  by  the  name  of  salts. 

The  acid  which  more  especially  concerns  the 
agriculturist  is  carbonic  acid,  which  exists  na- 
turally in  a  gaseous  form,  and  is  constituted  of 
two  parts  of  oxygen  and  one  of  carbon.  It  is 
produced  during  the  respiration  of  men  and 
animals,  and  in  the  common  process  of  burning 
wood  and  coals.  From  these  sources  it  is  pre- 
sent, in  a  small  quantity,  in  the  atmosphere,  and 
acts  a  most  important  part  in  the  support  of 
plants,  which  convert  its  carbon  into  their  sub- 
stance, and  give  back  its  oxygen  to  the  air. 

In  the  early  eras  of  the  world's  history,  it  is 
Supposed  that  the  atmosphere  was  loaded  with  a 
4 


50  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

much  greater  amount  of  carbonic  acid  gas,  than 
is  discoverable  therein  at  the  present  period ;  so 
that  the  trees  of  the  primeval  forests  hugely 
devoured  carbon  for  the  formation  of  their  re- 
spective structures,  and  exuding  a  portion  at  their 
roots,  produced  vegetable  mould  ;  which  forests, 
when  laid  prostrate  by  tempests,  or  decayed  by 
age,  in  combination  with  the  gigantic  ferns  which 
constituted  their  underwood,  became  transformed 
into  those  carboniferous  rocks  or  coal  strata, 
whence  the  inhabitants  of  all  civilized  countries 
are,  at  this  day,  furnished  with  fuel ;  and  to 
which  this  kingdom  is,  in  a  very  considerable 
degree,  indebted  for  its  commerce,  its  wealth,  its 
independence,  and  its  greatness. 

The  formation  of  an  acid  may  be  familiarly 
shown,  by  moistening  the  interior  of  a  tumbler 
glass  with  a  small  portion  of  water,  by  means  of 
a  sponge  ;  and,  having  inverted  it.  burning  under 
it  a  sulphur  match  ;  when  the  sulphur,  combining 
with   the  oxygen  of  the  air,  will  impart  a  sour 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  51 

taste  to  the  liquid,  adhering  to  the  sides  of  the 
glass,  viz. :  sulphuric  acid. 

An  alkali  is  a  caustic  acrid  body,  possessing 
the  property  of  converting  the  blue  juices  of 
many  vegetables  into  green  ;  and  the  term  is 
more  especially  used,  to  designate  the  well- 
known  substances,  potass,  soda,  and  ammonia. 
The  first  of  which  is  derived,  abundantly,  from 
the  ashes  of  plants ;  the  second  from  common 
salt ;  and  the  third  is  formed  during  the  decom- 
position of  animal  and  vegetable  matter;  and 
consists  of  one  atom  of  nitrogen,  and  three  atoms 
of  hydrogen. 

The  compounds  which  alkalies  form  with 
acids  are  also  called  salts  ;  the  same  appellation 
being  given  to  unions  of  acids,  with  the  two 
classes  of  bodies,  of  which  we  shall  speedily 
treat;  namely,  earths  and  oxides. 

Earths  are  certain  insoluble  substances,  having 
each  a  metallic  base,  viz.,  lime,  alumina,  silica, 
magnesia,  baryta,  and  strontia  ;  the  first  four  of 


52  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

which  are  of  abundant  occurrence  in  soils  and 
rocks  ;  lime  being  the  principal  constituent  in 
limestone,  chalk,  gypsum,  and  marl ;  alumina 
in  clay  ;  silica  in  sand  ;  and  magnesia  in  a  variety 
of  minerals.  Some  of  these  earths  also  exercise 
a  similar  action  with  alkalies  on  vegetable  colours, 
and  are  therefore  styled  alkaline  earths. 

Oxides  are,  generally  speaking,  unions  of 
metals  and  other  bodies  with  oxygen ;  and 
among  them,  from  their  having  metallic  bases, 
are  comprehended  the  earths,  and  the  alkalies, 
potass  and  soda. 

The  formation  of  a  salt  will  be  shown  in  the 
following  experiment. 

If  a  few  grains  of  magnesia  be  gradually 
dropped  into  a  wine  glass  containing  sulphuric 
acid,  diluted  with  water,  as  long  as  bubbles  shall 
be  observed  to  arise  to  the  surface,  and  then  dis- 
continued, the  liquid  will  be  discovered  to  have 
lost  its  sourness,  and  the  taste  of  the  magnesia 
will  also   have   disappeared;  whence   the  com- 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  53 

pound  is  called  a  neutral  salt ;  and  it  is,  as  such, 
.that  most  salts  are  found  existing  in  soils.  By 
evaporating-  a  portion  of  the  solution,  and  suffering- 
it  to  remain  undisturbed,  crystals  will  speedily 
be  formed,  known  as  sulphate  of  magnesia;  the 
name  of  each  salt  indicating  the  acid  and  base 
of  which  it  is  constituted. 

Salts,  therefore,  are  compounds  of  an  acid 
with  an  earth,  alkali,  or  metallic  oxide  ;  and  in 
crystallizing,  each  assumes  its  own  determinate 
and  peculiar  shape.  Thus  nitrate  of  potass 
(nitre)  forms  prismatic  octahedrons  ;  sulphate  of 
soda,  (glauber's  salt,)  six-sided  prisms  ;  chloride 
of  sodium,  (common  salt,)  cubes. 

The  following  important  chemical  compounds, 
albumen,  fibrine,  gluten,  casein,  farina,  (or 
starch,)  sugar,  and  »iun,  are  products  formed 
during  the  growth  of  plants.  The  four  first  are 
identical  in  their  elements  with  blood  and  muscle, 
and  may  therefore  be  termed  the  flesh-forming 
substances.     The   three  latter   each   consist   of 


54  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

the  same  principles,  and  are  necessary  for  the 
constitution  of  oils  and  fat;  and  when  taken 
into  the  circulation,  tend  to  the  support  of 
respiration  in  animal  life. 

Albumen  and  fibrine,  together  with  starch, 
constitute  the  flour  of  wheat.  The  two  former 
hold  nitrogen  in  their  formation  ;  the  latter  is 
without  it.  Casein  abounds  in  beans  and  peas, 
and  is  a  constituent  of  milk. 

Vegetable  gluten,  as  obtained  from  wheat 
flour,  consists  of  vegetable  fibrine,  with  a  small 
quantity  of  a  foreign  substance,  which  gives  to 
it  its  adhesive  glutinous  property.  By  different 
writers,  however,  fibrine  and  gluten  are  fre- 
quently used  to  signify  the  same  substance. 

ILLUSTRATIONS. 

If  into  a  glassful  of  ale,  which  has  become 
tart,  a  few  grains  of  carbonate  of  soda  are  thrown, 
the  liquor  will  be  rendered  mild  and  brisk-.  The 
acid  which  occasioned   the  sour  taste,  (acetic.) 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  55 

having  a  stronger  affinity  for  soda  than  carbonic 
acid  has,  herein  combines  with  the  soda,  and 
liberates  the  other,  in  the  form  of  carbonic  acid 
gas;  and  it  is  to  the  presence  of  this  gas  that 
cider,  perry,  and  sparkling  wines,  owe  their 
effervescing  qualities. 

In  washing  the  hands  in  ordinary  spring  water, 
known  as  hard,  the  soap  used  in  the  operation 
will  frequently  have  been  found  to  have  been 
almost  useless,  and  the  liquid  to  have  assumed  a 
curdled  appearance.  This  is  occasioned  from  the 
decomposition  of  the  soap,  which  is  formed  of  an 
alkali  and  tallow,  by  the  acid  of  the  carbonate 
of  lime,  (which  caused  the  hardness,)  uniting 
with  the  alkali  of  the  soap,  and  releasing  the 
tallow,  which  showed  itself,  as  before  stated, 
upon  the  surface  of  the  water. 

If  into  a  dry  tumbler-glass,  a  few  grains  of 
oxalate  of  potass  are  placed,  and  water,  from  a 
similar  source,  poured  upon  it,  the  water  will 
become  turbid,  owing  to  the  combination  of  the 


56  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

acid  with  the  lime,  forming  an  insoluble  com- 
pound, (oxalate  of  lime.) 

The  presence  of  common  salt  may  be  detected 
by  a  few  drops  of  nitrate  of  silver  in  solution  ; 
and  that  of  iron  by  a  small  quantity  of  an  infu- 
sion of  nutgalls.  The  oxalate  of  potass,  nitrate 
of  silver,  and  nutgalls,  thus  applied,  are  termed 
tests. 

Certain  springs,  (as  at  Matlock  and  Knares- 
borough,)  called  petrefying  waters,  contain  car- 
bonate of  lime,  in  solution,  in  large  quantities, 
which  is  partially  decomposed  and  deposited,  on 
coming  in  contact  with  the  atmosphere,  so  that 
substances  placed  therein,  in  a  few  weeks  become 
coated  with  that  material. 

A  cause  of  softness  in  rain-water  is  clue,  first, 
to  its  not  containing  such  salts,  and  consequently 
not  curdling  soap  ;  and  also  to  its  holding  in 
solution  a  small  portion  of  the  carbonate  of  am- 
monia. It  is  these  earthly  salts,  in  solution, 
which  cause  what  is  termed  "  furr,"  in  tea-kettles 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  57 

and  other  culinary  utensils  ;  the  acid  with  which 
they  are  combined  being  driven  off,  by  the  heat 
of  the  fire,  the  lime  is  deposited  on  the  sides  and 
bottoms  of  the  vessels. 

In  cutting  an  apple  with  a  polished  steel  knife, 
the  part  of  the  blade  which  has  come  into  con- 
tact with  the  fruit,  will  have  been  observed  to 
have  become  black,  as  if  stained  with  ink.  This 
stain  is  occasioned  by  the  acid  of  the  apple, 
(malic,)  combining  with  the  iron,  and  freeing 
from  it  the  carbon  with  which  it  was  united,  in 
the  formation  of  the  material, — steel. 

On  a  portion  of  a  recently-hung  gate,  con- 
structed of  oak  timber,  we  may  frequently  have 
observed  a  dark  blue-coloured  stain,  which  was 
caused  by  a  union  of  the  gallic  acid  of  the 
oak  with  particles  of  iron,  abraded  from  the  sides 
of  the  saw,  whilst  cutting  the  wood,  and  is,  in 
fact,  genuine  ink ;  this  fluid  being  a  compound 
of  these  two  substances,  with  the  addition  of  a 
small  quantity  of  gum  arabic,  to  give  it  a  body, 


58  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

that  it  may  be  retained  by  the  pen,  when  used  in 
writing. 

What  are  termed  chalybeate  springs,  are*  so 
named  from  holding  iron  in  solution ;  and  it  is 
no  less  true  than  curious,  that  the  brown  sedi- 
ment which  may  frequently  be  observed  in  pools 
and  shallow  water-courses,  is  occasioned  by  the 
cast-off  skins  of  minute  animalcule,  (infusoria,) 
the  principal  constituent  of  which  is  iron.  These 
creatures  are  invisible  to  the  naked  eye,  but  are 
ascertained,  by  the  microscope,  to  exist  by  hun- 
dreds in  every  drop  of  pool  or  river  water. 

Indeed  such  exuvias  are,  in  some  districts,  ac- 
cumulated in  masses,  as  to  form  immense  beds  of 
ore  ;  and  this  invaluable  metal  is  extracted  for 
the  use  and  convenience  of  mankind,  as  it  were, 
from  the  sloughings  and  offscourings  of  insects. 
Thus  we  perceive  how,  from  apparently  insignifi- 
cant means,  the  most  gigantic  results  are  planned 
and  perfected  by  an  all-wise  and  beneficent 
Creator  ;  and  whilst  we  behold,  we  should  adore. 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  59 

Should  a  ploughshare,  or  any  other  iron  instru- 
ment, be  suffered  to  remain  a  few  nights  exposed 
to  the  action  of  the  moist  atmosphere,  it  will 
acquire  a  coating  of  a  brown  colour,  termed  rust. 
This  is  caused  by  the  oxygen  of  the  air  uniting 
with  the  iron,  and  forming  an  oxide.  It  is 
owing  to  iron,  in  this  condition  of  oxidation,  that 
a  brown  or  yellow  colour  is  communicated  to 
clay,  sand,  &c. 

Dissolve  any  given  quantity  of  marl,  in  diluted 
muriatic  acid,  pour  off  the  fluid  from  the  undis- 
solved matter,  and  to  it  add  a  small  portion  of 
common  potass,  dissolved  in  water  ;  lime,  which 
makes  it  valuable,  will  be  thrown  down  or  prc- 
cipitated,  and  the  proportion  present  can  be  thus 
ascertained.  The  muriatic  acid  having  a  greater 
affinity  for  potass  than  for  lime,  deserts  the  latter, 
and  combines  with  the  former. 

In  stables,  wherein  a  powerful  smell  of  harts- 
horn (ammonia)  is  perceptible  ;  if  an  ounce  of 
muriatic  acid,  (on   a   plate,)   be    placed  therein. 


60  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

dense  white  fumes  will  be  seen  in  its  neighbour- 
hood, which  are  devoid  of  all  smell.  This  is 
muriate  of  ammonia.  The  acid  having  a  strong 
affinity  for  this  alkali,  has  attracted  and  retained 
it.  And  I  here  venture  to  suggest,  that  if,  in 
stables,  the  floors  were  occasionally  sprinkled 
with  water,  containing  muriatic  acid,  in  the  pro- 
portion of  two  ounces  of  the  latter  to  a  gallon  of 
the  former,  the  smell  would  be  considerably  de- 
stroyed, and  the  injurious  influence  of  the  am- 
monia, upon  the  horses,  be  greatly  weakened. 

If  an  ounce  of  oil  of  vitriol  be  poured  into 
three  separate  wine-glasses,  and  in  the  first  there 
is  inserted  a  piece  of  straw  ;  in  the  second  is 
placed  a  small  portion  of  cork ;  and  into  the 
third,  is  dropped  a  lump  of  loaf-sugar,  the  three 
substances  will  become  black  ;  the  straw  appear- 
ing as  if  it  had  been  charred  by  a  fire. 

The  oil  of  vitriol  (sulph.  acid)  has,  in  these 
three  instances,  united  with  the  constituents  of 
these   several    substances,  except   their  carbon, 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  61 

which  imparts  the  well-known  black  colour  of 
charcoal  to  the  parts  remaining.  In  the  instance 
of  the  sugar,  which  is  composed  of  carbon  and 
of  water,  it  has  merely  abstracted  the  elements 
of  the  water,  (hydrogen  and  oxygen,)  and  left 
the  carbon  untouched. 

If  a  small  quantity  of  oak  saw-dust,  well  pressed 
into  the  bowl  of  a  large  tobacco-pipe,  (the  mouth 
of  which  is  closely  coated  over  with  pipe-clay,) 
be  submitted  to  the  action  of  a  clear  lire,  a 
species  of  vinegar,  (pyroligneous  acid,)  will  be 
distilled  from  the  end  of  the  tube,  and  charcoal 
be  found  remaining  after  the  operation  is  con- 
cluded ;  which  charcoal,  when  burnt  in  the  open 
air,  will  leave  a  small  residue  of  white  ashes,  con- 
taining potass  and  a  very  minute  quantity  of 
insoluble  matter,  consisting  principally  of  lime. 

These  latter  mineral  substances,  not  being  de 
structible  by  fire,  arc  styled  inorganic,  constituent 
of  plants,  whilst  those  which  are  resolvable  into 
elementary  bodies,  and  fly  off  to  form  new  com- 


62  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

binations,  (as  carbonic  acid,  &c.,)  are  termed 
organic  substances.  Thus  by  ascertaining-  what 
are  the  elementary  principles  of  which  vegetable 
substances  are  constituted,  we  are  enabled  to 
form  a  tolerably  correct  opinion  of  the  species  of 
manure,  that  will  best  promote  their  health  and 
vigorous  growth. 

The  production  of  water  may  be  observed, 
during  the  burning  of  a  gas-lamp,  in  a  coffee- 
room,  &c. ;  where  a  funnel-shaped  chimney  is 
frequently  to  be  seen  suspended  over  the  flame, 
attached  to  a  tube,  having  a  glass  globe  at  its 
extremity,  generally  containing  a  fluid  generated 
during  the  combustion  of  the  hydrogen  gas,  in 
union  with  the  oxygen  of  the  atmospheric  air, — 
which  is  water. 

The  chief  constituents  of  corn, — fibrine  and 
starch,  may  be  obtained  in  the  following  manner. 
Enclose  a  portion  of  the  flour  of  wheat,  made 
into  a  paste  with  cold  water,  in  a  small  muslin 
bag,  which  squeeze  in  a  gentle  manner,  in  a  basin 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  G3 

of  cold  water,  so  long-  as  any  white  particles  are 
discharged  from  the  bag.  The  residue  in  the  bag 
is  fibrine,  and  the  powder  in  the  basin  is  starch. 

By  rubbing  an  unripe  apple  upon  a  grater,  and 
washing  the  portion  which  is  rasped  off,  in  cold 
water,  starch  will  also  be  collected ;  which 
starch,  had  the  apple  been  suffered  to  remain 
until  ripe,  would  have  been  converted  into  sugar, 
forming  the  sweet  juice  of  the  fruit. 

Potatoes  also  contain  from  10  to  12  per  cent, 
of  starch,  which  may  be  separated  by  the  fore< 
going  process.  Arrow-root  is  starch  obtained 
from  a  species  of  reed  ;  sago,  from  the  pith  of 
the  palm;  and  tapioca  from  a  plant  which  both 
yields  this  bland  food,  and  a  virulent  poison. 


CHEMISTRY  MADE  EASY. 


"See  dying  vegetables  life  sustain  ; 
See  life  dissolving,  vegetate  again  : 
All  forms  that  perish,  other  forms  supply; 
(By  turns,  we  catch  the  vital  breath,  and  die;) 
Like  bubbles,  on  the  sea  of  matter  borne, 
They  rise,  they  break,  and  to  that  sea  return." 


Your  attention  is  now  called  to  the  process  by 
which  plants  live  and  are  nourished ;  and  in 
order  to  comprehend  the  subject  properly,  it  is 
necessary  that  you  should  become  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  nature  of  the  substances  with 
which  they  are  constantly  in  contact,  viz. :  the  air, 
earth,  and  water. 

The  air  or  atmosphere  is  composed  of  two 
gases,  oxygen  and  nitrogen,  mixed  together  in 
the  proportion  of  21  per  cent,  of  the  former,  and 
64 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  65 

79  of  the  latter.  Besides  these  elements,  there 
are  always  present,  watery  vapour  and  carbonic 
acid  gas ;  the  latter  being  an  important  constituent 
in  vegetables,  and  forms  about  one-thousandth 
part  of  the  whole  mass  of  atmospheric  air. 

Water  consists  of  two  gases,  chemically  com- 
bined, in  the  proportion  of  12  per  cent,  of  hydro- 
gen, and  88  of  oxygen,  and  possesses  the  power 
of  dissolving  a  vast  number  of  substances  ;  and 
which,  when  it  descends  upon  the  earth  as  rain, 
contains,  in  solution,  carbonic  acid,  derived  from 
the  atmosphere,  and  carbonate  of  ammonia,  from 
the  putrefaction  of  vegetable  and  animal  matter. 
These,  together  with  the  soluble  substances  it 
meets  with  in  the  soil,  it  brings  into  contact  with 
the  roots  of  plants. 

In  treating  of  this  portion  of  our  subject,  we 
must  not  omit  saying  a  few  words  respecting 
certain  agents,  some  of  which,  until  of  late  years, 
had  been  but  imperfectly  investigated,  as  respects 
their  influence  over  the  process  of  vegetable  life. 


6Q  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

In  the  operations  of  nature,  the  light  of  the 
sun,  in  combination  with  the  electric  fluid,  is 
probably  the  grand  decomposing  and  combining 
instrument.  This  latter  subtle  and  mysterious 
power  pervades  all  material  things,  and  is  sup- 
posed to  be  the  proximate  cause  of  attraction,  in 
the  particles  of  which  visible  objects  are  com- 
pounded. "The  functions  of  vegetables,"  says 
a  learned  writer,  "  are  either  excited  or  regulated, 
in  a  great  degree,  by  the  stimulus  of  light,  heat, 
electricity,  and  oxygen,  which  are  essential  to 
healthy  transpiration,  to  absorption,  to  the  de- 
composition of  carbonic  acid,  the  fixation  of 
carbon,  the  production  of  colour,  and  to  the 
elaboration  of  nutritive  fluids  and  distinct  secre- 
tions ;"  and  being  thus  necessary  to  the  per- 
fection of  vegetable  existence,  should,  as  little 
as  possible,  be  obstructed  by  objects,  which  may 
not  absolutely  be  wanted  in  the  economy  of  a 
farm.  So  powerful  an  agent  is  light,  that  it  even 
affects  the  nature  and  nutritive  qualities  of  plants 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  67 

and  on  some,  so  astonishing  is  its  influence,  (as 

on  the  cotyledon  calycinum,)  that  their  leaves 

will  be  sour  in  the  morning-,  insipid  at  noon,  and 

bitter  towards  night : 

"  The  bud  may  have  a  bitter  taste, 
But  sweet  will  be  the  flower." 

It  has  been  already  stated,  that  plants  imbibe 
their  nutriment,  in  a  state  of  solution.  It  now 
remains  to  be  explained,  by  what  parts  of  the 
vegetable  this  nutriment  is  taken  into  the  circula- 
tion, and  of  what  such  aliment  consists. 

The  nutriment  of  plants  dissolved  in  water, 
is  absorbed  by  the  young  extremities  of  the  roots, 
a  portion  also  being  imbibed  by  the  leaves  from 
the  atmosphere. 

The  fluid  containing  the  food  of  the  plant, 
ascends  into  the  stem,  and  is  familiarly  known 
as  the  sap  ;  and  from  it,  all  the  various  organs, 
secretions,  and  excretions,  are  formed,  in  the  cells 
of  which  the  vegetable  structure  is  composed. 

Of   what    their    nutriment    consists,    may    be 


68  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

ascertained  by  considering  the  following-  simple 
experiment. 

Seeds  sown  in  powdered  marble,  (an  insoluble 
substance,)  after  being  watered  and  exposed  to 
the  atmosphere,  have  sprung  up,  flourished  for 
a  time,  and  then  died. 

It  has  been  shown,  that  rain-water  holds  in 
solution  carbonic  acid  and  ammonia,  so  that  the 
plants,  arising  from  such  seeds,  had  vegetated, 
sprung  up,  and  derived  the  solid  materials  which 
formed  their  consistence,  from  the  following  three 
substances,  viz.  :  water,  carbonic  acid,  and  am- 
monia. After  a  time,  however,  they  withered 
and  died,  showing  that  some  other  materials 
were  necessary  for  their  future  nutrition,  which 
were  not  present  in  the  powdered  marble,  but 
which  are  generally  to  be  found  in  ordinary  soils. 

These  requisites  have  been  discovered  to  be 
various  mineral  substances,  chiefly  of  an  alkaline 
character,  the  most  prevalent  of  which  is  potass. 

We  thus  reduce  the  nutriment  of  plants  to 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  69 

nitrogen,  which  exists  in  ammonia;  to  water, 
which  is  composed  of  hydrogen  and  oxygen  : 
and  to  carhonic  acid,  consisting  of  carbon  and 
oxygen  ;  together  with  certain  mineral  products, 
of  which  different  kinds  are  required  by  different 
species  of  plants.  Further  proof  of  the  necessity 
of  the  presence  of  the  first  three  substances,  is 
afforded  by  the  fact,  that  the  wood  of  which  the 
greater  part  of  a  tree  is  constituted,  is  composed 
of  carbon,  combined  with  hydrogen  and  oxygen, 
in  the  proportions  to  form  water,  whilst  the 
nitrogen  is  found,  principally,  in  the  roots  and 
seeds. 

We  have  thus  obtained  a  knowledge  of  the 
nature  of  the  food  or  nutriment,  required  for 
the  support  of  the  vegetable  kingdom  generally; 
let  us  now  see  whether,  by  some  simple  experi- 
ment, we  can  procure  further  insight  into  this 
most  important  subject. 

We  have  seen  that  the  vegetable,  planted  in 
the   pulverized    marble,   died    for    the   want   of 


70  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

certain  mineral  substances,  not  afforded  by  the 
materials  mentioned  in  the  experiment. 

Suppose  we  take  equal  weights  of  various 
vegetable  substances,  and  burn  them  ;  we  shall 
find  that  we  shall  obtain  a  larger  amount  of  ashes 
from  some  species  of  plants,  than  from  others ; 
and  the  quantity  of  ashes  thus  yielded,  will  in- 
dicate the  proportion  of  alkalies  in  the  plant 
burnt ;  so  that  we  clearly  prove,  that  some  vege- 
tables require  more  alkalies  than  others,  for  the 
healthy  development  of  their  organization. 

The  salt,  known  in  commerce  as  pearl-ash,  is 
obtained  by  burning  plants,  and  dissolving  this 
article  from  their  ashes ;  and  it  is  found  that  the 
branches  yield  more  of  this  substance  than  the 
trunk  of  the  same  tree,  which  circumstance  is 
accounted  for,  by  the  potass  existing  chiefly  in 
the  sap  with  which  the  young  parts  of  the  tree- 
are  filled. 

If  we  burn  any  of  the  grasses,  and  especially 
their  seeds,  we  shall  find  in  their  ashes  another 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  71 

salt,  called  phosphate  of  magnesia,  which  exists 
in  the  plant,  in  combination  with  ammonia.  This 
we  shall  afterwards  find  to  be  an  important  fact, 
as  corn  is  one  of  the  grass-tribe,  as  is  also  the 
herbage  upon  which  cattle  arc  usually  fed ;  and 
consequently,  wherever  this  vegetable  is  grown, 
phosphate  of  ammonia  and  magnesia  must  be  pre- 
sent in  the  soil. 

There  is  also  a  salt  in  these  plants,  so  neces- 
sary to  the  supply  of  food,  for  the  population  of 
this  and  the  several  countries  of  Europe,  which 
forms  a  coating  to  the  stalk,  thus  acting  as  an 
external  skeleton,  for  the  support  of  the  grain. 

We  see  this  coating  exemplified  on  a  large 
scale,  in  the  varnish-like  covering  of  the  sugar- 
cane, bamboo,  &c,  and  also  in  the  shining  ex- 
terior of  the  straw  of  wheat.  This  coating  is  a 
perfect  glass,  manufactured  by  the  plant,  from  the 
constituents  of  the  soil  in  which  it  was  grown; 
and  if  we  take  a  single  straw  of  hay,  and  carefully 
and  gradually  burn  it.  in  a  clear  but  strong  flame. 


72  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

we  shall  find  a  globule  of  glass  at  the  unconsumed 
extremity  of  such  stalk. 

Now  as  this  coating  is  there  existing,  for  the 
purpose  of  affording  support  to  the  straw  and 
grain,  and  is  derived  by  the  plant  from  the  soil 
in  which  it  grows,  it  is  evident  that  the  sub- 
stances necessary  for  its  formation  must  be 
present  in  that  soil.  These  substances  are  silica, 
(or  sand,)  and  potass.  If  these  therefore  do  not 
exist  in  the  soil,  in  some  form  or  other,  in  vain 
will  the  agriculturist  attempt  to  obtain  crops  of 
corn ;  and  he  must  either  cultivate  such  land 
with  some  other  species  of  vegetation,  which  does 
not  require  these  materials,  or  he  must  add  them 
to  his  field  by  means  of  maaures,  either  artificial 
or  otherwise. 

Let  us  now  re-consider  some  of  the  foregoing 
statements,  and  the  conclusions  which  may  be 
deduced  from  them. 

We  have  seen,  that  a  plant  derives  the  salts 
which  it  contains,  from  the  soil  in  which  it  grows ; 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  73 

that  different  species  of  plants  require  different 
salts  for  their  nourishment ;  and  that,  as  some 
soils  contain  one  salt  and  other  soils  another,  so, 
of  necessity,  one  soil  will  be  more  fitted  for  the 
growth  of  certain  plants  than  for  that  of  others ; 
and  as  all  subjects  are  more  easily  understood, 
when  examples  of  the  fact  can  be  brought  under 
notice,  let  us  endeavour  to  find  one,  bearing  upon 
that  we  are  now  attempting  to  elucidate. 

One  of  the  principal  constituents  of  soil  is 
decayed  wood,  which  by  chemists  is  called  Humus. 
By  the  action  of  the  oxygen  of  the  atmosphere, 
this  substance,  which  consists  mostly  of  carbon,  is 
converted  into  carbonic  acid,  which,  being  dis- 
solved by  the  rain,  affords  abundant  carbonaceous 
nutriment  to  the  plants. 

Humus  abounds  in  peaty  soils,  and  its  effects 
are  manifest  in  the  corn  cultivated  in  such  locali- 
ties, (as  on  fens  or  reclaimed  marshes,)  which, 
for  a  time,  flourishes  luxuriantly,  but  afterwards 
bends   under   the   influence   of    the   first   heavy 


74  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

shoAver  of  rain,  and  is  never  able  fo  regain  its 
erect  position,  because  there  is  not  the  material 
present  in  the  soil,  from  which  it  can  manufacture 
its  cylinder  of  flint-glass,  to  support  its  straw  and 
ear,  and  consequently,  such  soils  have  had  sand 
added  to  them,  with  great  advantage  to  the  crop 
of  wheat  grown  thereupon. 

Experience  has  taught  the  agriculturist,  that 
it  is  impossible  to  cultivate  the  same  species  of 
plant  for  many  successive  years,  upon  the  same 
soil,  without  the  addition  of  manure,  or  even 
with  the  addition  of  certain  kinds  of  this  material. 
It  has  also  shown  him,  that  some  manures  are 
more  suited  for  one  kind  of  soil  than  another. 

From  the  considerations  in  which  we  have 
been  engaged,  these  circumstances  become  of 
easy  explanation. 

The  reason  why  ii  is  not  possible  to  grow  the 
same  kind  of  plant  upon  the  same  land,  for  many 
successive  years,  is,  that  the  plant  extracts  from 
the  soil,  and   converts   to  its  own   substance,  all 


CHEMISTRY   MADE    EASY.  75 

those  soluble  portions  therein,  which  it  requires  ; 
returning  by  the  roots,  or  leaving-  such  portions 
which,  although  not  useful  to  it,  may  be  so  to 
others.  Thus  the  land  which  grows  one  species 
of  crop  in  one  year,  is  able  to  produce  a  crop 
of  another  kind,  in  the  succeeding  year,  even 
without  the  aid  of  a  manure.  If,  however,  proper 
manure  is  supplied  to  the  soil,  the  same  plant 
may  be  cultivated  on  the  same  land,  for  very 
many  successive  seasons.  These  considerations 
explain  the  theory  of  tbe  alternation  of  crops. 

A  knowledge  of  the  chemical  constituents  of 
certain  plants,  and  of  the  chemical  constitution 
of  the  soil  on  which  they  are  purposed  to  be  cul- 
tivated, will  therefore  enable  the  farmer  to  ascer- 
tain what  plants  are  best  suited  for  the  profitable 
management  of  the  succession-crop  system. 

Whilst  upon  this  subject,  it  may  not  be  out  of 
place  to  say  a  few  words,  on  the  use  of  permitting 
land  to  lie  fallow,  which  is  to  allow  the  sun 
and  air  to  have  free  access  to  it,  which,  operating 


76  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

upon  such  constituents  of  the  soil  as  shall  not 
have  been  appropriated  by  previous  crops,  draw 
forth  a  fresh  supply  of  food,  fitted  for  the  support 
and  growth  of  the  same  description  of  plant  as  had 
recently  been  grown  upon  it. 

By  allowing  a  field  to  lie  fallow,  it  will  be  re- 
membered, that  the  farmer  derives  no  profit 
from  the  land,  during  the  year  it  is  so  unem- 
ployed ;  whereas,  by  cultivating  it  with  another 
sort  of  seed,  he  secures  the  advantage  of  the 
fallow  system,  and  at  the  same  time  obtains  a 
crop  of  a  different  kind  of  plant,  he  being  care- 
ful however  to  cultivate  such  a  species  of  plant 
as,  during  the  progress  of  vegetation,  shall  not 
require  nutriment,  wanted  by  the  grain  which  he 
purposes  to  succeed  it ;  and  if  instead  of  employ- 
ing the  crop  which  shall  be  grown  upon  the 
field,  that,  in  the  usual  course  of  husbandry, 
would  otherwise  have  been  in  fallow,  for  imme- 
diate pecuniary  profit,  it  shall  be  ploughed  into 
the  soil,  when  it  has  nearly  arrived  at  maturity, 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  77 

the  land  will  thus  again  receive  all  that  the 
plant  had  abstracted,  together  with  the  carbon, 
which  it  derived  from  the  atmosphere,  and  appro- 
priated to  the  formation  of  its  substance. 

Manures  are  materials,  by  means  of  which  we 
add  to  the  soil,  on  which  we  desire  to  grow  cer- 
tain plants,  such  known  constituents  of  these 
plants,  as  the  soil  is  found  by  chemical  analysis 
to  be  deficient  in. 

To  take  the  instance  of  corn.  This  grain,  we 
have  seen,  requires  the  presence  of  silica,  potass, 
and  phosphates,  for  its  healthy  growth.  If  the 
land  upon  which  it  is  cultivated  does  not  con- 
tain these  substances,  the  farmer  must  endeavour, 
by  manure,  to  give  the  soil  the  materials  of  which 
it  is  in  want,  or  his  capital  and  labour  will  be  ex- 
pended in  vain. 

In  order  to  do  this  with  advantage,  he  must 
study  to  obtain  a  knowledge  of  the  constituents  of 
the  various  manures  in  general  use. 

In  the  horse-dung  of  the  stable  manure,  the 


78  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

silicate  of  potass  and  phosphate  of  magnesia 
exist ;  and  in  the  straw  which  has  served  as 
litter,  a  supply  of  silicates  and  phosphates  will 
also  be  found ;  whilst  the  urine,  with  which  the 
litter  is  saturated,  affords  ammonia;  and  by  the 
application  of  these  ingredients  to  our  fields,  we 
supply  to  the  corn-land  the  materials  which  have 
been  exhausted  by  the  last  crop.  And  it  must 
be  carefully  borne  in  mind,  that  the  use  of 
manure  containing  nitrogen,  (one  of  the  con- 
stituents of  ammonia,)  is  indispensable  to  the  suc- 
cessful cultivation  of  every  species  of  corn. 

Since  the  resources  of  chemistry  have  been 
applied  to  the  purposes  of  agriculture,  attention 
has  been  directed  to  various  manures,  besides 
those  produced  in  our  stables  and  fold-yards, 
which  are  calculated  to  exercise  a  beneficial  in- 
fluence upon  the  respective  plants  cultivated  on 
a  farm.  Many  of  these  compounds,  when  tried, 
not  happening  to  realize  the  expectations  formed 
by  the   persons   who   applied   them,  have  been 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY.  79 

stigmatized  as  valueless.  But  this  judgment  has, 
perhaps,  been  pronounced  too  hastily.  For  it  is 
evident  from  what  we  have  been  considering, 
that  we  must  first  obtain  a  correct  knowledge  of 
the  composition  of  the  land,  before  we  can,  on 
rational  principles,  attempt  to  supply  what  is 
deficient,  for  the  support  of  the  plants  designed  to 
be  cultivated  upon  it.  And  not  only  so,  but  we 
must  preserve  and  apply  all  descriptions  of 
manures,  in  such  a  form  as  will  best  secure  and 
retain  the  active  properties  they  may  possess. 

Many  individuals,  I  fear,  in  this  particular,  are 
culpably  negligent,  permitting  the  litter  from 
their  stables  and  cow-sheds  to  lie  for  months 
exposed  to  the  influence  of  the  weather,  and 
thus  lose  one  of  its  most  active  agents — am- 
monia ;  whilst  the  soluble  salts  are  dissolved  out 
by  the  rain,  and  drain  away.  "Whereas,  such 
manure,  if  not  wanted  at  the  moment,  should 
ahvays  be  well  pressed  together,  (by  drawing  the 
carts  over  it,)  and  be  covered  with  a  thick  coating 


80  CHEMISTRY   MADE    EASY. 

of  soil,  in  order  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  sub- 
stances which  especially  constitute  its  worth. 

The  practice  also  of  burning  scutch,  weeds, 
&c,  is  greatly  to  be  reprehended.  For  if  such 
materials  were  carefully  collected  into  large  heaps, 
and  interspersed  with  layers  of  quick-lime,  they 
would  soon  be  reduced  to  a  state  capable  of 
yielding  again,  to  the  land,  the  constituents  of 
which  it  had  been  robbed.  Whereas,  when  con- 
sumed, the  carbon  is  dissipated,  by  uniting  with 
the  oxygen  of  the  atmosphere  as  carbonic  acid, 
and  nothing  remains  but  the  earthy  and  alkaline 
salts,  which  are  comparatively  insignificant  in 
quantity,  and  consequently  of  trifling  importance 
to  the  soil. 

Lime  indeed,  when  employed  upon  land,  should 
always  be  applied  fresh  from  the  kiln,  as  it 
quickly  loses  a  portion  of  its  virtue,  on  exposure 
to  the  air,  by  imbibing  water  and  carbonic  acid. 
Whereas,  whilst  caustic,  it  aids  in  pulverizing 
the  clods,  destroys  sourness,  decomposes  vegeta- 


CHEMISTKV    MADE    EASY.  81 

ble-matter,  aluminous  earths,  combinations  of 
iron  with  acids,  salts,  and  bone-dust ;  but  should 
it  contain  much  magnesia  in  its  composition, 
(which  may  in  a  degree  be  discovered,  by  its 
brown  appearance  and  soapy  feel,)  it  should  then 
be  altogether  discarded,  as  this  mineral,  when 
over-abundant  in  soils,  is  most  noxious  to  almost 
every  description  of  plant. 

The  highly-fertilizing  qualities  which  putrefied 
urine  possesses,  have  been  already  noticed.  So 
important  a  material  is  this  and  human  excre- 
ments, that  Liebig  asserts,  that  "every  town 
and  farm  might  thus  supply  itself  with  the  manure, 
which  besides  containing  the  most  nitrogen,  con- 
tains, also,  the  most  phosphates ;  and  if  rotation- 
crops  were  adopted,  they  would  be  most  abun- 
dant." So  beneficially  has  this  description  of 
manure  been  applied  to  land,  in  the  vicinity  of 
Edinburgh,  by  irrigating  the  fields  from  the 
"  Foul  Burn,"  into  which  the  contents  of  tbe 
privies,  the  sinks,  and  drains  of  the  town,  arc 
6 


82  CIIEMI3TUY    MAU£    EASY. 

received;  that  three  hundred,  acres  of  meadow 
land,  contiguous  to  the  palace  of  Holyrood  House, 
are  let  at  from  £H)  to  20  per  acre,  and  some  as 
high  as  £:J0  !  With  this  fact  on  record,  will  the 
plan  suggested  in  the  former  part  of  this  treatise 
be  by  farmers  disregarded  ? 

Guano,  which  is  the  excrement  of  certain  sea- 
fowl,  like  urine,  abounds  in  ammonia,  and  in 
phosphates ;  and  also  in  sulphates  of  soda  and 
potass. 

Besides  manures,  afforded  by  nature,  for  the 
supply  of  our  fields,  with  the  materials  which 
have  been  abstracted  from  them  by  cultivation, 
human  ingenuity  has  devised  certain  artificial 
substances,  which  may  perform  the  part  of  a 
manure ;  and  in  soils  which  are  deficient  in 
alkalies,  these  artificial  manures  are  highly  use- 
ful in  supplying  them  ;  and  it  is  in  this  way  that 
crushed  bones,  which  are  constituted  of  phos- 
phate of  lime  and  magnesia,  sulphate  of  potass, 
ammonia,  muriate  and  carbonate  of  soda,  act. 


CUEMISTIIY    MADE     EASY.  83 

Not  only  are  such  salts  extremely  valuable, 
in  aiding  the  growth  of  plants,  when  applied 
alone  to  the  soil,  but  experience  has  shown,  that 
their  virtues  are  increased  by  admixture  with 
others.  Thus  a  solution  of  erpial  parts  of  com- 
mon salt,  nitrate  of  soda,  and  subcarbonate  of 
potass,  worked  into  a  heap  of  well-rotted  stable 
manure,  just  previous  to  spreading,  is  reported  to 
have  most  materially  increased  the  yield  of  wheat ; 
and  equal  quantities  of  crushed  bones  and  guano,* 
have  proved  highly  beneficial,  when  applied  to 
grass  land,  potato  and  turnip  crops.  It  has 
also  been  asserted,  that  wheat,  oats,  barley,  and 
other  seeds,  steeped  in  solutions  of  sulphate  or 
carbonate  of  ammonia,  nitrate  of  soda  or  potass, 
for  the  space  of  twenty-four  or  thirty  hours 
before  sowing,  have  caused  a  much  more  abun- 


*  These  substances  must  be  applied  with  judgment 
and  discretion ;  as  bone-manure,  where  it  has  been 
copiously  used  in  Cheshire,  is  said  to  have  altered  the 
taste,  and  deteriorated  the  quality  of  the  cheese,  for 
which  that  county  has  for  a:?es  been  celebrated. 


84  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

clant  produce,  than  would  have  heen  the  case 
had  the  seed  been  submitted  to  the  land,  in 
its  natural  state,  after  the  customary  practice. 
The  experiment  is  therefore  worthy  the  con- 
sideration and  trial  of  all  intelligent  agriculturists, 
as  the  expense  of  making  such  solutions  is  very 
trifling. 

Before  we  conclude  this  little  treatise,  it  may 
not  be  irrelative  to  the  subject  to  introduce  a 
short  passage,  on  the  process  of  digestion,  or 
concoction  and  conversion  of  vegetables  into  food, 
suitable  for  replacing  the  animal  waste  of  the 
body,  which  is  conducted  and  effected  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner. 

Grasses  and  other  substances  being  taken  into 
the  mouth,  arc  there  crushed  and  commingled 
with  saliva,  (which  contains  oxygen,)  and  then 
passed  into  the  stomach,  where,  by  means  of  a 
slimy  fluid,  (mucus,)  and  a  sourish  secretion,  (gas 
trie  juice,)  they  become  reduced  to  a  state  of 
pulp,  and    thus  capable  of  Wing   taken    up  b} 


CHEMISTRY    MADE    EaSY.  85 

organs  formed  for  ministering  to  the  renewal  of 
the  structure  of  such  parts  of  the  corporeal  frame, 
as  are  constantly  subject  to  flux  and  change.  In 
man,  and  all  carnivorous  animals,  the  process  is 
extremely  simple.  For  muscle  and  blood  being 
formed  of  the  same  chemical  constituents,  the 
stomach  speedily  reduces  these  to  a  uniform 
mass ;  which,  being  passed  into  the  system, 
traverses  the  lungs  in  the  form  of  blood,  where  it 
loses  a  portion  of  its  carbon,  absorbs  oxygen, 
and  supports  and  increases  the  size  of  the 
body,  by  depositing  flesh  in  one  part,  and  fat 
in  another. 

In  rainy  seasons,  grass  is  generally  washy,  and 
less  nutritious  to  cattle,  than  when  the  weather  is 
dry  ;  it  is  consequently  advisable  to  supply  them, 
at  those  periods,  with  food  possessing  such  pro- 
perties as  will  compensate  for  the  defective  pro- 
vender, which  the  fields  then  afford  them  ;  and, 
(as  all  kinds  of  pulse  abound  in  albumen  and 
casein,)  if  half-a-peck  of  bean-flower,  mixed  in  a 


86  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

peck  of  cut-chaff,  were  administered  to  cows, 
each  morning  and  evening,  considerable  advan- 
tage would  be  derived  from  such  feed,  both  as 
respects  the  condition  of  the  animals,  and  the 
quantity  and  quality  of  their  milk  ;  but  this  food 
being  defective  in  phosphates,  which  are  neces- 
sary for  the  formation  of  bone,  will  not  be  so 
proper  for  young  and  growing  cattle. 

Thus,  then,  have  we  seen  how  by  a  beautiful 
process  of  selections,  transformations  and  com- 
binations, vegetables  form  their  structure,  juices, 
seeds,  and  fruit ;  whereas,  men  and  animals 
merely  appropriate  to  the  support  and  growth  of 
their  bodies,  substances  already  prepared  for 
them  by  the  hand  of  nature  ;  and  in  the  pursuit 
in  which  we  have  been  engaged,  the  writer  of 
this  little  treatise  trusts  he  has  not  altogether 
failed  in  showing  in  what  manner  a  knowledge 
of  chemistry  is  useful  to  the  business  of  agricul- 
ture ;  in  explaining  its  terms,  so  as  to  be  com- 
prehended   by    persons    unacquainted    with     the 


CHEMISTRY    MADK    EASV.  87 

language  of  science ;  and  in  giving  such  an 
insight  into  its  general  modes  of  action,  as  may 
induce  many  of  his  readers  to  make  further  in- 
quiry into  a  subject,  which  is  not  important  to 
their  individual  interests  alone,  but  to  the  wealth 
and  prosperity  of  the  nation,  of  which  they  are 
a  part ;  being,  (in  the  opinion  of  him,*  who  at  the 
same  time  that  he  was  the  most  powerful  genius 
that  ever  employed  his  energies  in  the  boundless 
arena  of  chemical  research,  in  this  country,  was  the 
first  to  elucidate  the  bearing  of  chemical  science, 
as  applied  to  the  purposes  of  agriculture.)  "  one 
of  those  pursuits,  which,  whilst  in  their  sublime 
speculations  they  reach  to  the  heavens,  in  their 
application  they  belong  to  the  earth  ;  whilst  they 
exalt  the  intellect,  they  provide  food  for  our 
common  wants,  and  likewise  minister  to  the 
noblest  appetites  and  most  exalted  views  belong- 
ing to  our  nature.  They  keep  alive  that  inex- 
tinguishable thirst  after  knowledge,  which  is  one 

'  .Sir  II.  Daw. 


88  CHEMISTRY    MADE    EASY. 

of  the  greatest  characteristics  of  our  nature ;  for 
every  discovery  opens  a  new  field  for  investiga- 
tion of  facts, — shows  us  the  imperfection  of  our 
theories. 

"  It  has  been  justly  said,  that  the  greater  the 
circle  of  light,  the  greater  the  boundary  of  dark- 
ness by  which  it  is  surrounded.  This  strictly 
applies  to  chemical  inquiries ;  and  hence  they 
are  wonderfully  suited  to  the  progressive  nature 
of  the  human  intellect,  which,  by  its  increasing 
efforts  to  a  higher  kind  of  wisdom,  and  a  state  in 
which  truth  is  fully  and  brightly  revealed,  seems, 
as  it  were,  to  demonstrate  its  birthright  to  im- 
mortality." 


APPENDIX. 


Analysis  of  Albumen,  Gluten,  Casein,  and  Flesh. 

ALBUMEN.  CASEIN.  GLUTEI*.  FLESH. 

Carbon- ••  35-0  54-0  54-2  54-12 

Hydrogen  7-0  7-0  7-5  7-89 

Nitrogen- •  159  15-0  14-0  15-72 

Oxygen--  221  23-2  24-4  2203 


Analysis  of  Sugar,  Starch,  and  Gum. 

SUGAR.  STARCH.  QUM. 

Carbon  VZ  12  12 

Hydrogen---.      11  10  11 

Oxygen 11  10  11 

The  above  pass  into  a  substance,  precisely 
similar  to  animal  fat,  by  abstracting  a  portion  of 
their  oxygen ;  it  therefore  may  be  seen,  how  food 
abounding  in  these  compounds  tends  to  promote 
the  deposit  of  that  substance  in  cattle. 


Analysis  of  the  Milk  of  a  Cow. — Playfu 

Casein 4-0 

Butter 4-G 

Sugar  3-8 

Ashes 0-6 

Water 89-0 

89 


90  APPENDIX. 

Analysis  of  Human  Urine,  1000  parts  of  which 

contain  as  follows  : —  lierzelius. 

Urea 3010 

Free  lactic  acid,  lactate  of  am- 
monia, and  animal  matter  17*14 

Uric  acid 1-00 

Mucus 0-32 

Sulphate  of  potass 3*71 

Sulphate  of  soda 3-16 

Phosphate  of  soda 2*94 

Phosphate  of  ammonia 1  '05 

Chloride  of  sodium 4*45 

Muriate  of  ammonia 1*50 

Phosphates  of  magnesia  and 

lime 1-00 

Silicious  earth 0-03 

Water 933-00 


1000-00 


The  urine  of  horses  contains  less  nitrogen  and 
phosphates  than  that  of  man ;  that  of  cows  is 
abundant  in  salts  of  potass  ;  and  that  of  swine, 
rich  in  phosphate  of  magnesia  and  ammonia. 

Putrid  urine,  to  which  gypsum  has  been  added, 
forms  an  excellent  manure  for  cabbage,  celery, 
turnips,  red  clover,  and  all  culinary  vegetables. 


APPENDIX. 

yi 

Analysis 

of  Peas,  Lentils, 

and  Beans. 

— PI  ay  fair. 

PEAS. 

LENTILS. 

BEANS. 

Carbon  ■  • 

..     35.713 

37-38 

38-24 

Hydroge 

n       5-401 

5-54 

5-84 

Nitrogen 

I     39-30(3 

37-98 

3810 

Oxygen 

Ashes  •• 

..      3-490 

3-20 

3-71 

...   10-000 

15-90 

1411 

100-000 

100-00 

10000 

Analysis  of  Red  Clover. — Sprengel. 
1000  lbs.  of  red  clover  contain,  when  dried, — 

Nitrogen 17  lbs. 

Potass 28  — 

Soda 5  — 

Lime 28  — 

Magnesia 37  — 

Sulphuric  acid 47  — 

Phosphoric  acid"--  07  — 

Chlorine 37  — 

Carbon - 550  — 

Silica,  iron,  alumina,  manganese,  oxygen,  and 
hydrogen,  make  up  the  remainder. 


92  APPENDIX. 

Analysis  of  Hay. 
100  parts  of  hay,  dried  in  the  air,  contain — 

Dry  matter 80 

Water 14 


100 


100  parts  of  hay,  dried  at  212°  equal  110-2  parts 
dried  in  the  air,  and  contain — 

Carhon 45*8 

Hydrogen 5-0 

Oxygen 38-7 

Nitrogen 1*5 

Ashes 9-0 


1000 


Analysis  of  Bones. 

Bones  consist  of  42  parts  of  lime  and  30  of 
phosphoric,  acid,  together  with  animnl-matter, 
termed  gelatine,  which  is  also  a  valuable  manure, 
although  frequently  abstracted  before  the  farmer 
obtains  thorn.  Digested  in  diluted  sulphuric 
ariil,  their  virtues  have  been  highly  extolled  in 
the  cultivation  of  turnips. 


APPENDIX. 


93 


Analysis  of  Guano. —  Viilckel. 


Urate  of  ammonia 9*0 

Oxalate  of  ammonia 10*f5 

Oxalate  of  lime 7*0 

Phosphate  of  ammonia 6*0 

Phosphate  of  magnesia  and  ammonia 2*0 

Sulphate  of  potass 5*0 

Sulphate  of  soda 3*8 

Sal-ammoniac 4*2 

Phosphate  of  lime 14*3 

Clay  and  sand ;••  4*7 

Organic  substances  not  estimated,  contain- 
ing 12  per  cent,  of  matter  insoluble  in 
water,    soluble    salts    of    iron,    in    small 

quantity,  and  water 32*3 

100-0 


Analysis  of  Gypsum. 

Sulphate  of  lime,  known  in  several  parts  of 
England  under  the  name  of  talc  and  gypsum,  is 
constituted  of  40  parts  of  sulphuric  acid,  and  28 
of  lime,  and  when  spread,  in  a  powdered  condition, 
on  the  surface  of  the  soil,  has  been  found  to  be 
highly  beneficial  to  crops  of  grass,  mustard,  and 
clover.  Herbage,  rich  in  sulphates,  is  said  also 
to  be  necessary  to  the  production  of  the  fine  wool 
in  sheep. 


94  APPENDIX. 

Analysis  of  Oats. — Boitssingault. 

100  parts  of  oats,  dried  at  212°  equal  117-7 
parts  dried  at  the  ordinary  temperature,  and 
contain — 

Carbon 50*7 

Hydrogen G-4 

Oxygen 36*7 

Nitrogen 2-2 

Ashes 4-0 


100-0 


Oats  dried  in  the  air,  117-7,  contain,  in  100  parts, 
1-807  of  nitrogen. 


Analysis  of  Potato  Roots. 

Water 70-6 

Starch 11-2 

Lignin 7-8 

Mucus  and  salts 3-7 

Albumen 7 


1000 


The  stalks  of  ripe  potatoes  contain  lime,  mag- 
nesia, and  potass,  and  abound  in  nitrogen,  and 
are  consequently  a  valuable  manure,  as  is  also  the 
straw  of  vetches,  for  the  same  reason. 


APPENDIX.  95 

The  following  table  gives  a  synoptical  equiva- 
lent value  of  different  kinds  of  food  ;  albumen 
representing  the  flesh-forming  principle,  and  un- 
azotized  matter  the  fat-forming. — Phujfuir. 

ALBUMEN.         UNAZOTIZED    MATTER. 

Peas 29  5 1  i 

Beans 31  52 

Lentils 33  48 

Potatoes- •••  2  24| 

Oats 101  68 

Barley  meal  14  68 

Hay 8  68£ 

Turnips  —  1                     9 

Carrots  U                 8£ 

From  the  above  table  we  may  see,  why  pigs, 
fed  upon  potatoes  and  barley-meal,  soon  fatten 
and  keep  in  health  ;  whereas,  when  supplied  with 
potatoes  only,  they  become  fat  but  are  unhealthy. 
It  will  also  teach  us  that  the  milk  of  cows,  from 
which  cheese  is  to  be  made,  would  be  benefitted 
by  mixing  their  food  with  steeped  peas  and  beans. 


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Book, 

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Book 

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Grape  Vine 

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Manual, 

•aques'    Practical    Treatise    on 

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Trees,     . 
Kem  ick's  American  Orchardist, 
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and  Fruit  Garden. 
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per  vol..  .... 

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Rose 

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or  Hand  Hook  of  Plants, 
Heatlix's     Kssays   on    Southern 

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can Husbandry,     . 
Fessenden's   Complete    Farmer, 
Davis'   Text   Book  of  Agricul- 
ture,         

Wiggin's    American    Farmer's 

Instructor 

Pritt's   Farmer's   3ook  and   Fa- 
mily Instructor,    . 
Johnson's   American    Farmer's 

Encyclopaedia, 
Donn's   Gardener's  Dictionary, 

4  vols,  quarto, 
Parnell's   Applied  Chemistry  in 
Arts.  Manufactures,  and  Do- 
mestic Economy,  . 
Fresenius    and    Bullock's   Ele- 
mentary      Instruction      in 
Chemical  Analysis, 
Chaptal's  Chemistry  Applied  to 
Agriculture,  .... 
Liebig's  Agriculture  Chemistry, 
Liobig's  Animal  Chemistry, 
Liebig's    Familiar    Letters    on 
Chemistry,     .... 
Topham's  Chemistry  made  Easy 

for  the  Agriculturist,    . 
Johnson's    Catechism    of  Agri- 
cultural     Chemistry      and 
Geology,         .... 
Johnson's    Lectures    on    Agri- 
cultural Chemistry, 
Skinner's  Elements  of  Agricul- 
ture  

Gray's  Elements  of  Scientific 
and  Practical  Agriculture, 
Robbin's  Complete  Produce 
Reckoner,  showing  the 
Value,  by  Pound  or  Bushel, 
of  all  the  Ditrerent  Kinds  of 

Grain 76 

tVhitmarsh    on    the    Mulberry 

Tree 50 

Dana's  Muck  Manual,  .  .  .50 
Dana's  Prize  Essay  on  Manures,  .25 
The  Farmer's  Mine,  or  Source 

of  Wealth, 7a 

Smith's  Productive  Farming,  or 
Familiar   Digest  of  Recent 
Discoveries,    .         .        .               .50 
The  Farmer's  Treasure,      .               .75 
Thompson  on  the  Food  of  Ani- 
mals  50 

The  Complete  Farrier,         .  .25 

Coles' American  Veterinarian,  .  .61/ 
The  American  Furrier.  .  .  .75 
The  Horse,  its  Haliits,  Diseases, 

ui.d  Management,  .  ,       .34 


1.00 
.75 

50 

1.50 

2.00 

4.01 

10.01 

1.0ft 


.56 
.25 
J25 

.24 

.3& 

.25 
1.25 
.25 
.50 


C.  M.  Saxton's  Catalogue  of  Books. 


Youatt  on  the  Horse,  .  .  .  $1.75 
Miles'  Horse's  Foot,  and  How  to 

Keep  it  Sound, 25 

Hinds"  Farrier  and  Stud  Book,  .  1.00 
Mason's  Farrier,  ....  1.25 
Stewart's  Stable  Economy,  .  1.00 
Clater's  Every  Man  His  Own 

Farrier, 50 

Stable  Talk,  and  Table  Talk,     .     1.00 
Ynuatt's  Stock  Raiser's  Manual,    2.50 
Clater  and  Youatt's  Cattle  Doc- 
tor   .50 

Mills'  Sportman's  Library,  .  .1.00 
Skinner's  Dog  and  Sportsman,  .  .75 
Hawker  and  Porter  on  Shooting,  2.75 
Frank  Forrister's  Field  Sports,  4.00 
Youatt  on  the  Dog,      .        .        .     1.50 

Youatt  on  the  Pig 65 

Knowlson's  Cow  Doctor,  .      .25 

Guenon's    Treatise    on    Milch 

Cows, 3" 

Randall's  Sheep  Husbandry,  .  1.00 
Morrel's  American  Shepherd,  .  1.00 
Canfield    on    the     Management 

and  Breed  of  Sheep,  .  .1.00 
Blacklock's  Treatise  on  Sheep, .  .50 
Bement's  American  Poulterer's 

Companion,  .  .  .  .1.00 
Cock's  American  Poultry  Book,  .38 
Boswell's  Poultry  Yard.  .  .  .50 
Miner's  Bee  Keeper's  Manual,  .  1.00 
Weeks'  Treatise  on  the  Honey 

Bee 50 

Bevan  on  the  Bee,        .        .        .      .88 
Townley  on  the  Bee,  .        .        .      .50 
Marshall's  Farmer's  and  Immi- 
grant's Hand  Book,       .        .     1.00 
Stephen's  Book  of  the  Farm,  2 

vols,  octavo,  ....    4.00 
Ellsworth's     Improvements    in 
Arts.  Manufactures,  &c,  in 

the  United  States 25 

Bigelow's  Plants  of  Boston  and 

~  Vicinity,          ....     1.50 
Gardiner's  Farmer's  Dictionary,     1.50 
Bement's    Journal  of   Agricul- 
ture  2.50 

Colman's  Continental   Agricul- 
ture, .         .        .        .     1.25 
Colman's     European     Agricul- 
tural Tour.      .        .        .         .     5.00 
Fessenden's      New      American 

Gardener, 81 

Mahon's   American  Gardener's 

Calendar.  ....  3.50 
Bridgman's    Voung   Gardener's 

Assistant,  ....  1.75 
Johnson's  Dictionary  of  Modern 

Gardening,     .         .         .  2.25 

Cobbet's  American  Gardener,  .  .38 
Bridgman's  Kitchen  Gardener's 

Instructor 50 

Buist's    Family    Kitchen     Gar- 
dener,       75 

Thaer's  Agriculture,  .        .        .     1.75 
Smee  on  the  Potato  Plant,  .         .       .72 
Gilpin's  Landscape  Gardening,  .    2.50 
Downing'::   Landscape  Garden- 
ing  3.50 

Downmg's      Cottage     Residen- 
ces  2.0G 

Lang's  Highland  Cottagej,  1.50 


3.50 
8.60 


1.00 

.50 


JbO 

1  oo 


Cottage  and  Villa  Architecture, 

by  Walter  and  Smith.  4  vols.$10.00 

Elliot's  Cottages  &  Cottage  Life,    2.50 

The  American  Architect,  com- 
prising Original  Designs  of 
Country  Residences,  4to., 
1st  series,        .... 

2d  series 

I'eiers'  Agricultural  Account 
Book. 

American  Bird  Fancier, 

Bees.  Pigeons,  Rabbits,  and 
Canary  Birds, 

The  Bird  keeper's  Manual, 

The  Birds  of  Long  Island.  . 

Gunn's  Domestic  Medicine,  or 
Poor  Man's  Friend.  This 
Book  points  out  in  plain  lan- 
guage, free  from  Doctor's 
Terms,  the  Diseases  of  Men, 
Women,  and  Children,  and 
the  Latest  and  most  Approv- 
ed Means  used  in  their 
Cure,  and  is  intended  ex- 
pressly for  the  Benefit  of 
Families.  It  also  Contains 
a  Description  of  the  Medi- 
cinal Roots  and  Herbs  in 
the  United  States.  By  John 
C.  Gunn.  M.  D.,  1  vol.  8vo., 

The  Use  of  Brandy  and  Salt,  as 
a  Remedy  for  Various  Inter- 
nal as  well  as  External  Dis- 
eases, Inflammation,  and  Lo- 
cal Injuries,  containing  Am- 
ple Directions  for  Making 
and  Applying  it.  By  Rev.  S. 
Fenton, 12}* 

Miss  Beecher's  Domestic  Eco- 
nomy,       75 

Receipt  Book,    .        .        .      .75 

Miss  Leslie's  Complete  Cookery,     1.20 


3.00 


House  Book, 

•  Ladies'  Receipt  Book, 

•  Indian-Meal  Book,    . 
Scv«nty-Five  Receipts. 


Mrs.  Rundles  Domestic  Cook- 
ery, ..... 

Mrs.  Child's  Frugal  Housewife, 

The  Cook's  own  Book. 

The  American  Housewife  and 
Kitchen  Directory, 

The  American  System  of  Cook- 
ery,          

Domestic  Cookery. 

The  Practical  Receipt  Book,     . 

Miss  Acton's  New  Work  on 
Cookery,         .... 

Mrs.  Abeel's  Skillful  Housewife, 

Mrs.  Cornelius'  Young  House- 
keeper's Friend.    . 

Alcott's  Voung  Housekeeper,     . 

The  Economical  Housekeeper.  . 

Browne's  Memoir  on  Indian  Corn, 

Pedder's  Farmer's  Land  Mea- 
surer, allowing  at  one  View 
the  Contents  of  any  Piece 
of  Land  from  Dimensions 
taken  in  Yards,  with  a  Set  of 
1  seliil  Agricultural  Tables, 

Webster's  Encyclopaedia  of  Do- 
m«stic  Economy, 


1.20 
1.20 


.50 
.40 
1.00 


.IS* 


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.62 


l.on 

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.50 


EVERY  FARMER'S  BOOKS! 

Ten  Thousand  Copies  printed  in  six  Months  f 

ILLUSTRATED  tIeISeWdoIsTIC  ANIMALS, 

Being  a  history  and  description  of  the  Horse,  Mule,  Cattle,  Sheep,  Swine,  Poul- 
try, and  Farm  Dogs  ;  with  Directions  for  their  Management,  Breeding,  Crossing,  Rear 
ing,   Feeding,  and    preparation  for  a  profitable  market.     Also,  their   IMseageg  ano 

Remedies  ;  together  with  Full  Directions  for  the  Management  of  the  Dairy,  and  the  Com- 
parative Economy  and  Advantages  of  Working  Animals,  the  Horse,  Mule,  Oxen,  &c,  by  R.  It, 
AXiLiEN,  Author  of''  Compend  of  American  Agriculture"  $c. 

The  above  work  contains  more  than  4n  Engravings  and  Portraits  of  Improved  Animals 
Illustrative  of  the  different  breeds  and  various  subjects  treated  in  it. 

The  most  minute  as  well  as  general  principles  for  Breeding,  Crossing,  Rearing,  Feeding,  and 
Management  of  all  Domestic  Animals,  arc  herein  given,  to  produce  the  utmost  marketable 
value  for  the  food  and  attention  bestowed  on  them  ;  as  well  as  to  prevent  disease,  and  save  the 
immense  losses  which  annually  occur  from  this  source.  It  can  be  seut  by  Mail,  in  Cloth  Binf* 
lug,  for  75  Cents— Paper,  SO  Cents.  Published  by  C.  M,  SAATOX,  123  Fulton  sU  t> 
York.     For  sale  by  all  the  Booksellers  throughout  the  country. 

Agents  wanted  for  every  county  in  every  state.    Address,  post  paid,  the  Publisher. 

OPINIONS    OF  THE    PRESS, 

The  Compactness  yet  completeness  will  make  it  a  favorite  with  agriculturists. — Chronicle, 
Philadelphia. 

Its  greatest  worth  is,  as  tt  complete  farrier,  showing  the  diseases  of  animals,  their  treatment, 
»nd  cure. — Far.  <J-  Met. 

The  portion  which  relates  to  the  dairy  alone,  is  worth  the  cost  of  the  book.—  Worcester 
Transcript. 

It  is  every  way  adapted  to  be  serviceable  in  every  household  which  has  domestic  animals. — 
I)  Adv.,  Newark. 

We  believe  it  a  complete  guide  for  the  farmer  and  dairyman  in  the  purchase,  care,  and  use  ot 
animals. — Jeffersonian. 

Here  is  a  work  which  should  be  in  the  hands  of  every  farmer. — Highland  Courier. 

We  can  confidently  recommend  this  work  as  a  very  instructive  one  to  those  engaged  in  farm 
lug,  raising  stock,  or  husbandry. — -Northampton  Courier. 

The  author  is  a  practical  farmer  and  stockbreeder,  and  is  able  to  vouch  for  the  correctness  of 
the  remedies  for  diseases  of  Domestic  Animals,  as  well  as  the  best  mode  of  managing  them. — 
Huron,  O.  Reflector. 

It  costs  but  seventy-five  cents,  and  cannot  fail  to  be  worth  ten  times  that  amount  to  any  far 
nier.— Sum  nut  S.^C  Beacon. 

It  is  the  best  of  that  character  we  have  yet  seen  ;  no  farmer  should  be  without  it. — Democriit, 
Carlisle,  Pa. 

This  is  just  such  a  book  as  every  owner  of  stock  should  be  possessed  of. — Eastern  Md  Star. 

Here  is  a  book  which  all — those  who  follow  the  plow,  and  those  who  direct  it — can  read  to 
profit.  It  is  a  library  of  knowledge,  presenting  the  latest  improvements  and  discoveries,  on  all 
the  topics  treated  of;  and  illustrated  by  a  great  variety  of  cuts.  The  "  Aliens,"  one  of  whom  is 
the  author  of  the  work  before  us,  are  quite  famous  in  their  espeoial  role,  so  that  what  proceed* 
from  lhem  may  be  confident  lyca-edi  ted  at  all  events.  The  present  book  is  a  most  interesting  and 
instructive  one,  and  must  meet  with  a  great  sale. — Sciota  Gazette. 

This  work,  to  the  farmer  and  stock  raiser,  will  be  useful,  instructive,  and  profitable,  enabling 
them  to  improve  the  breed  of  their  stock,  preserve  them  from  sickness,  and  cure  them  wheu 
infected  with  disease. — Herald.  Morrisville,  I'a. 

The  time  has  c;one  by  when  farmers  can  expect  to  succeed  without  giving  some  atteution  to 
Book  Farming,  and  we  trust  they  begin  to  see  it  for  themselves.  We  should  like  to  hear  that 
this  work  was  in  the  hands  of  every  farmer  in  the  county. — Mercury,  Potsdam,  N.  Y. 

The  title  page  of  this  work  gives  a  good  idea  of  its  scope  and  intent.  It  is  a  comprehensive 
summary  of  farm  operations,  and  will  prove  very  acceptable  to  the  great  mass  of  our  farming 
population.  We  are  informed  that  3,0U0  copies  of  this  work  have  been  sold  since  the  first  of 
January.     It  is  well  printed  and  profusely  illustrated — N.  Y.  Tribune. 

It  is  furnished  with  numerous  illustrating  cuts,  and  will  form  a  complete  "  vade  mecum"  for 
the  agriculturist,  convenient  for  reference,  and  to  be  relied  on  when  consulted. — BaUintoie 
American. 

This  is  a  practical  book  by  a  practical  man,  and  will  serve  extensive  practical  ends.  It  i» 
s  companion  which  every  farmer  will  fool  that  he  cannot  well  be  without.— N.  Y.  Observer 

We  cheerfully  recommend  this  work  to  farmers. — Signal,  Juiictt,  III. 

We  anticipate  an  extensive  sale  for  this  work.—  Ohio  Cultivator. 

This  work  ought  to  be  in  the  hands  of  every  planter. — A'.  O.  Delta. 

The  author  is  a  gentleman  of  fine  attainments,  and  who  ranks  as  ono  of  the  most  accom- 
plished writers  on  agricultural  subjects  in  the  country. — Ala.  Plunter. 

Many  a  valuable  animal  is  lost,  every  year,  for  want  of  the  knowledge  here  conveyed  —  EagU 
Brattleboro,  Vt. 

The  author  (Mr.  Allen),  is  a   practical  man.  and  everything  fiom  his  ,■-'■•  on  subjects  co.i 

tected  •• .   ■■■-'  cuttle  bleeding,  ■»  laiuable  i,  ih-yse  wi.o  prefer  n, alter  of  Uct  to 

un  'ti,-.ry    -  Slain*  t  ,i -v-.i  / 


THE    AMERICAN    FARM    BOOK: 

OR, 

Compend  of  American  Agriculture, 

Sontaining  a  concise  and  plainly  written  Exposition  of  Duties  pertaining  to  fa. 
Cultivation  of  the  Earth,  the  Management  of  the  tarm.&.c  &.c.,on  prac- 
tical scientific  principles. 

3Y  R.  L.  ALLEN. 

'he  cheapest  and  most  valuable  book  for  a  farmer  ever  printed  :  teing  a  com 

plete  Guide,  both  practical  and  scientific,  for  the 

MANAGEMENT  OF  THE  FARM. 

Besides  the  varied  practical  knowledge  which  this  book  imparts,  and  which  is 
indispensable  to  the  proper  management  of  every  department  of  agriculture,  it 
eives  the  elements  of  other  information  highly  necessary  to  a  successful  farmer, 
Js  Historv  Geology.  Chemistry,  Botany,  Anatomy,  Physiology,  and  Mechanics. 
These  branches  o!  knowledge  are  given  as  applicable  to  agricultural  pursuits 
and  when  properly  understood  will  essentially  aid  and  assist  the  firmer.  In  fact 
»  knowledge  of  these  sciences  is  a  sure  key  to  wealth  for  any  agriculturist.  I 
rives  the  mode  of  preparation,  and  the  effects  of  all  kinds  of  manures  ;  the 
frigin,  texture,  divisions,  and  description  of  every  variety  of  soils  ;  the  economy 
.flowing,  reaping,  and  mowing,  irrigation  and  draining;  cultivation  of  the 
passes,  clovers,  grains,  and  roots  ;  Southern  and  miscellaneous  products,  as  cot- 
fan,  hemp,  flax,  the  sugar  cane,  rice,  tobacco,  hops,  madder,  woad,  &c. .,  the 
/earing  of  fruit-apples,  peaches,  pears,  plums,  grapes,  &c.  ;  farm  buildings 
ledges  &c  ;  with  the  best  methods  of  planting,  cultivating,  and  preparation 
ibr  market.  Illustrated  by  100  engravings. 
The  reader  can  form  some  idea  of  the  above  work,  from  the  fact  that  it  treats 

'  BOO  different   subjects  important  to   a  farmer.     It  contains   354  pages  and  is 
beautifully  bound  in  cloth,  gilt,  suitable  for  a  library.     Price  only  One  Dollar. 
Notices  of  the  Press. 

The  author  has  been  one  of  the  most  able  contributors  to  the  agricultural  pres? 
or  the  last  ten  years  ;  aside  from  this  he  is  a  practical  farmer  and  stock;bre«aer. 
juki  consequently  knows  from  his  own  experience  what  he  is  writing  about. 
Commercial  Advertiser.  .  .     __„__,i:„_,— 

Tin*  book  is  by  a  gentleman  of  known  experience ;  the  work  is  exceedingly 

4eap,  and  the  farmer  will  find  it  a  valuable  book  of  reference.-.Y Y. £*t™'- 
It  is  in  fact  a  brief  encyclopedia  on  the  subjects  treated,  and  the  fanner  ji\\ 
Hh4  appropriate  information  on  almost  any  subject  coming  withm  his  reach.— 

^Herete  a  Dookfor  the  million,  precisely  what  its  title  indicates     Compasse* 
within  its  pages,  the  reader  will  find  the  subject  of  soils,  manures,  crops,  and 
animals,  treated  in  a  style  easily  comprehcnded.-Spmi  of the  Times 
This  work  is  what  might  be  expected  from  one  so  well  qualified  for  the  undu- 

UWega7e£glaTtoUrneet°a  publication  which  can  interest,  as  well  as  improve  the 
condition  Sf  the  human  race.  We  commend  the  work  to  every  American  fanner. 
— Christian  Intelligencer.  .  ,„„;„„  v,;0  ,y,;,,,i  t 

Why  shall  not  every  good  farmer  economize  his  muscles  by  storing  his  mind  I 
We  hope  this  book  will  find  its  way  into  many  family  and  school-libranes.-i\e» 
York  Tribune.  .    ...  r 

It  ought  to  be  found  in  every  farmer's  library.— Jerseyman.  »„h™i 

It  is  really  a  great  satisfaction  to  get  hold  of  an  American  treatise  on  Agricul- 
ture that  has  a  plain,  practical,  common  sense  character  of  Us  own.  I  he  author 
of-this  work  is  already  known  to  the  agricultural  publ.c.as  a  horough l  prac tic* 
farmer  and  stock-breeder.  That  he  well  knows  what  he  is  about  on  a  farm,  these 
pages  abundanty  show.  No  mere  book-maker  could  have  written  such  a  book 
and  we  may  add,  also,  that  no  mere  practical  farmer  coud  have  wri .en  it.  A 
"  good  practical  work"  can  only  be  written  by  a  man  who  has  both  thought  and 
arted  well  What  distinguishes  this  volume,  is  its  conciseness,  its  clearness,  ana 
telSraplcuous  treatment  of  the  subject  in  hand.  We  think,  therefore,  that  Mr 
Aula's  volume,  the  basis  of  which  is  go«i  practical  farming,  as  prac Used jj  h 
best  cultivators' in  the  United  States,  with  an  intelligent  reference  tc .those ^pnnci 
pies  of  science  which  lie  at  the  root  of  all  successful  practice,  is  likely  to  be  oi  as 
much  or  more  real  service  to  us,  than  any  work  on  agriculture  vet  issue*. .  -rom 
the  press,  and  we  gladly  commend  it  to  the  perusal  of  every  one  o/  oui  re«mor* 
engage.!  in  the  cultivation  of  land  -  A.  J.  Downing' a  Horticulturist 


GUNN'S  DOMESTIC  MEDICINE, 

OR  POOR  MAN'S  FRIEND  ;   IN  THE  HOURS  OF  AFFLICTION   PAOi 

AND  SICKNESS,  A  SAFE  AND  RELIABLE  GUIDE. 

Raymond's  corv,  trice  three  dollars. 

This  Book  points  out  in  plain  language,  free  from  doctors'  terms  the  Disease* 
of  Men,  Women,  and  Children,  and  the  latest  and  most  improved  means  used  in 
their  cure ;  and  is  intended  expressly  for  the  benefit  of  families.  It  al60  contains 
descriptions  of  the  Medical  Roots  and  Herbs  of  the  United  States,  and  how 
they  are  to  be  used  in  the  cure  o<  diseases.  It  is  arranged  on  a  new  and  simplo 
plan  by  which  the  practice  of  Medicine  is  reduced  to  principles  of  common 
sense. 

This  invaluable  book  has  passed  through  many  editions;  it  has  now  been  re- 
vised and  improved  in  every  respect,  and  enlarged  to  nearly  double  its  former 
size  ;  and  contains  nine  hundred  octavo  pages. 

It  does  not  propose  to  dispense  with  physicians  in  severe  cases.  But  it  does 
propose  to  save  thousands  and  tens  of  thousands  annually,  by  putting  the  means 
of  cure  into  every  man's  hands,  and  of  saving  many  valuable  lives  (which  is  of 
far  more  importance)  by  instructing  individuals  how  to  check  disease  in  its  begin- 
nings, before  it  has  acquired  too  much  strength  to  resist  and  overcome. 

Opinions  of  the  Press. 

"We  seldom  take  up  a  book  of  this  class  with  any  favorable  impressions  ;  f<  r 
we  fear  quackery  and  pretension  have  been  at  work  f<>r  the  '  poor  man  ;'  but  in 
this  work  all  our  prejudices  were  conquered.  Professional  men  as  well  as  others, 
we  see  cheerfully  recommend  this  book;  which  has,  in  its  ample  pages,  much  o' 
the  necessary  instruction  to  ward  off  or  to  cure  disease." — New  York  Express. 

"  It  is  written  in  an  easy,  plain,  and  familiar  style,  and  points  out  the  diseases 
of  men,  women,  and  children,  and  the  latest  and  most  approved  means  used  in 
their  cure.  The  language  and  arrangement  are  so  simplified  as  to  bring  it  within 
the  capacity  of  those  who  possess  a  very  limited  education.  The  object  and  de- 
sign of  the  author  seems  to  be  to  remove  all  that  technical  phraseology  which  is 
used  in  medical  works  generally,  and  thus  simplify  the  practice  of  that  science 
which  the  head  of  every  family  should  be  acquainted  with.  It  is  generally  recom- 
mended to  our  professional  readers  as  a  guide  in  cases  w  here  it  is  not  deemed 
necessary  to  have  the  services  of  regularly  educated  practitioners.  This  book 
should  And  a  place  in  every  family."—  llosion  Mail. 

"  This  is  a  work  of  Family  Medicine  on  the  plan  of  Dr.  Ewell.  It  is  the  most 
olain-written,  unteclinieal  book  of  the  kind  we  have  met  with  ;  a  decided  improve 
ment  on  both  Buchan  and  Ewell.  It  is  printed  in  a  very  superior  style,  revised 
from  the  first  edition,  and  containing  a  variety  of  useful  information  not  hitherto 
laid  before  the  vulgar  eye.  It  treats  of  the  passions.  It  has  also  a  catalogue  ol 
medicines,  with  their  properties  and  doses,  and  the  diseases  and  manner  in  which 
they  are  treated  ;  comprising  a  synoptical  Materia  Mediea,  exceedingly  useful  in 
families,  and  m  >im  particularly  to  captains  of  vessels  and  planters,  who  cannot 
conveniently  procure  mediSul  advice.  It  is  an  excellent  book." — Sew  Orleani 
True  American. 

"  If  we  judge  of  the  merits  of  the  book  by  the  immense  number  of  copies  already 
sold,  and  the  very  flattering  testimony  of  medical  men  of  the  first  standing,  (and 
among  the  number,  several  of  .the  most  distinguished  members  of  the  faculty  in 
our  city,)  it  is  a  va  uable  compendium  of  the  modern  practice  of  physic,  and  must 
prove  a  valuable  assistant  to  families,  particularly  in  sudden  emergencies,  and  in 
nil  situations  where  regular  professional  attendance  cannot  be  commanded." — 
Ijouisville  Journal. 

"  The  great  advantage  it  possesses  over  all  other  books  of  the  kind  is,  that  the 
author  has  avoided  all  Latin  terms;  this  is  what  has  brought  Dr.  Gunn's  work 
intc  such  extensive  family  use." — Sew  Orleans  Picayune. 

"  As  a  medical  Vadc  Mecum.  it  has  for  years  stood  high  ;  and  now,  since  its  re- 
vision, (Raymond's  copy,)  will  take  the  lead  of  all  similar  works."— Mobile  Daily 
Advertiser. 

"  Its  extensive  sale  has  established  .'ts  worth,  and  stamped  it  as  a  standard  and 
■seful  book." — Kentucky  (lazctte. 

fty  On  the  receipt  of  Three  Dollars,  Dr.  Gunn's  book  will  be  sent,  free  oj 
postage,  to  any  part  ofthe  United  States. 

All  letters  must  be  addressed,  (post-paid,)  to  C.  M.  SAXTON,  101  Fulton  Pt 
New  York. 

"  Raywiond^  Copy  "  is  the  only  complete  editicn  and  is  so  maiked  on  \Xf>  back 


THE    AMERICAN    AGRICULTURIST; 

A    MONTHLY     PERIODICAL 

StstgneU  to  fiuprobe  t|)e  farmer,  tljc  planter,  tt)c  Stocft-SSreeoet, 
ana  tlje  ?QortfcuUutfst. 

A.    B.    ALLEN,    Editor. 

"  Agriculture  is  the  most  healthy,  the  most  useful,  and  the  most  noble  employment 
of  man." — Washington. 

TERMS. 

FOR  SINGLE  COPIES    ONE  DOLLAR  PER  ANNUM. 

THREE    COTIES    TWO  DOLLARS. 

EIGHT     COPIES    FIVE  DOLLARS. 

TWENTY  COPIES TWELVE  DOLLARS. 

The  American  Agriculturist  is  now  in  the  seventh  year  of  ;.ts  publication. 
From  its  commencement  it  took  a  high  stand  ;  and  has  ever  since  been  considered 
by  the  press  and  all  unbiased  judges,  as  the  LEADING  PERIODICAL  of  its  class  « 
in  America.  It  has  a  large  and  rapidly  increasing  circulation  throughout  the 
United  States,  the  Canadas,  and  other  British  possessions,  the  West  Indies,  and 
South  America  ;  and  we  may  fearlessly  assert,  that  it  has  given  more  reliable  in 
formation  on  rural  subjects,  and  been  perused  with  greater  general  satisfaction, 
than  any  paper  of  the  kind  yet  published. 

The  American  Agriculturist  treats  of  every  description  of  domestic  animals 
and  poultry  ;  their  characteristics,  breeds,  the  best  and  the  worst ;  their  advanta- 
ges and  disadvantages  ;  their  mode  of  breeding,  feeding,  rearing,  and  treatment; 
their  uses,  profits,  management,  &c.  It  also  treats  of  all  cultivated  crops,  inclu- 
ding fruits,  shrubbery,  &c. ;  the  best  seeds,  mode  of  planting,  cultivating,  gather- 
ing, and  preparing  for  markets  ;  the  general  principles  of  vegetation  and  the  laws 
of  vegetable  life.  It  describes  the  principles  of  mechanics  as  applied  to  machine- 
ry used  by  farmers  and  planters ;  the  best  machinery  and  implements  for  agri- 
culture, their  uses  and  the  particular  superiority  of  some  over  others,  and  their 
adaptedness  for  particular  purposes,  &c. 

Address  all  subscriptions  to  C.  M.  SAXTON,  123Tulton  St.,  New  York. 

It  also  gives  the  latest  improvements  in  those  implements  which  may  have  been 
made,  and  suggests  others  ;  tells  where  they  are  to  be  found,  and  the  benefits  that 
will  follow  from  their  use.  It  also  specifies  new  objects  of  cultivation,  and  how 
they  may  be  better  prepared  for  a  profitable  market  and  more  general  use.  These 
are  a  part  only  of  the  objects  of  this  paper  ;  yet  they,  with  the  other  subjects 
treated,  are  of  universal  interest  and  general  application.  Nineteen-twentieths  of  all 
that  is  to  be  found  in  it  is  of  the  same  use  to  one  part  as  to  any  other  part  of 
America.  Yet  we  find  people  constantly  objecting  that  it  is  not  printed  in  their 
particular  section  of  country,  and  that  it  is  not  suited  to  their  wants.  Does  it 
make  any  difference  where  a  boy  acquires  his  education,  provided  it  be  a  good 
pne  and  he  be  correctly  taught  ?  Where  he  studies  his  profession  of  divinity, 
pedicine,  or  even  law?  Cannot  he  take  the  principles  he  has  acquired,  and  apply 
thern  equally  well  in  any  part  of  America?  Are  not  the  blessed  sunlight  o! 
heaven,  the  rain,  the  dew,  the  heat,  and  the  frost,  though  sometimes  differing  in 
degree,  of  equal  relative  effect,  wherever  they  are  felt,  whether  within  the  tropics 
or  the  polar  circles,  the  eastern  or  western  hemisphere? 

If  the  question  were  as  to  a  choice  between  a  good  paper  printed  here  or  there, 
it  were  another  matter.  But  thro'jeh'mt  extensive  regions  this  is  not  the  case, 
and  it  is  either  a  cood  paper  or  rioiH-  i  all ;  and  even  if  there  were  one  for  every 
particular  section  of  country,  we  ip'ijat  still  urge  a  general  circulation  for  our 
own  ;  for  no  one  will  embrace  all  that  is  important  to  be  known. 


THE 

AMERICAN    POULTRY    YARD; 

COMPRISING    THE 

ORIGIN,  HISTORY,  AND  DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  DIFFERENT 
BREEDS  OF 

Oomcotic   JJoultra; 

WITH 

Complete  Directions  for  their  Breeding,  Crossing,  Rearing, 

Fattening,  and  Preparation  for  Market ; 

Including  Specific  Directions  for  Caponising  FowU,  and  for   the 

Treatment  of  the  Principal  Diseases  to  which  they  are  subject. 
DRAWN  FROM  AUTHENTIC  SOURCES  AND  PERSONAL  OBSERVATION 
Illustrated    by   Numerous   Engraving* 

Br    D.    J.    BROWNE. 

With  an  Appendix,  embracing  the  Comparative  Merits  of 
Different  Breed  of  Fotvls. 

Br    SAMUEL    ALLEN. 

Price  $1,  in  cloth — 75  cts.  with  paper  covers. 


Published  by  C.  M.  SAXTON,   123  Fulton  Street,  N.  Y 

OPINIONS  OF  THE  PRESS. 

Mr.  Browne  was  bred  and  brought  up  a  practical  fanner.  From  his  intimate  know 
ledge  of  the  history  and  habits  of  our  domestic  animals,  having  devoted,  probably, 
more  attention  to  the  subject,  as  a  whole,  by  reading  and  observation,  than  any  other 
individual  in  the  country,  the  task  of  preparing  this  work  was  assigned  to  him.- 
Salem  Register. 

The  style  of  the  engravings  and  the  mechanical  execution  of  the  work  arc  excellent 
— Maine  Farmer. 

An  extensive  work  on  poultry,  embracing  every  information  desired. — JV.  JI.  Tele 
graph. 

We  commend  the  book  and  tho  subject  to  the  thoughts  of  farmers. —  Vt.  Watchman 

Every  one  who  may  purchase  a  copy,  upon  a  perusal  of  the  same,  will  be  fully  sati» 
9ed  that  their  money  was  well  spent. — Bristol  Phoenix. 

It  is  one  of  tho  best  treatises  on  the  Domestic  Fowl  ever  published. — Ncic-Uav. 
Palladium. 

The  details  into  which  this  book  enters,  on  all  the  subjects  connected  with  the  pro- 
fitable raising  of  fowls,  are  precisely  of  that  minute  and  practical  character  which  if 
needed. — .V.  Y.  Evangelist. 

We  are  glad  to  see  that  the  evident  demand  for  information  on  the  subject  ot 
rearing  Domestic  Fowls  has  called  out  so  valuable  a  work  as  the  one  before  us. — JV.  Y. 
Daily  Tribune. 

It  contains  matter  to  interest  and  instruct  upon  almost  everything  that  concerns  fh» 
poultry  yard,  and  bears  the  impress  in  its  pages  that  its  editor  was  well  qualified  to 
fulfill  the  task  he  undertook. — American  Farmer. 

It  is  the  most  complete  book  of  its  class  ever  published,  and  quite  indispensable  U 
all  who  are  interested  in  raising  poultry.- — Charleston,  S.  C.,  Weekly  Gazette. 

No  farmer  among  us  would  remain  a  day  longer  without  tho  work,  did  he  but  kno 
its  value. — Railway  Register. 

It  is  unquestionably  the  cheapest  and  best  work  of  the  kind  extant,  and  should  ha 
•  place  in  every  farmer's  library. — Oermantovcn,  Ohio,  Gazette. 

The  volume  is  enriched  by  an  Appendix  from  the  the  pen  of  Mr.  Samuel  Allen,  an 
experienced  breeder  of  fowls,  who  has  taken  mach  pains  to  improve  tho  stock  in  this 
country. — .V.  Y.  Weekly  Tribune. 


THE  AMERICAN  BEE-KEEPER'S  MANUAL. 

BY    T.    B.    MINER. 

350  pp.  12mo.     35  Eagravings.     Price  $1. 

PUBLISHED  BY  C.  M.  SAXTON,  123  FULTC  N  ST.,  N.  Y. 

OPINIONS  OF  THE  PRESS. 

"  The  most  complete  work  on  the  Bee  and  Bee-keeping  we  have  vet  seen  "— 
A".  Y.  Tribxme.  ' 

"  Mr.  Miner  has  handled  this  subject  in  a  masterly  manner."— N.  Y.  7Yue  Sun, 

"Ho  has  written  a  work  of  the  most  fascinating  interest." — N.  Y.  Sunday  Dit- 
patch. 

"  It  will  interest  the  general  reader.    It  is  indeed  a  charming  volume. Com 

mercial  Advertiser. 

"  This  is  a  truly  valuable  work,  and  very  interesting."— Morning  Star. 

u  It  is  decidedly  the  best  work  we  have  ever  seen."— Boston  Daily  Mail. 

"Mr.  Miner  has  performed  his  task  with  signal  ability."— Scientific  American. 

"It  does  high  credit  to  the  observation  and  intelligence  of  the  author."— Chris- 
tian Intelligencer. 

"  This  is  the  most  comprehensive  and  valuable  work  on  the  Honey-bee  that 
has  ever  come  under  our  notice."—  Journal  of  Commerce. 

"  To  appreciate  the  value  of  the  honey-bee  one  must  get  this  book  and  read  it 
■ttentively." — Noah's  Messenger. 

"  We  like  it  for  its  independent  tone,  and  the  amount  of  practical  information 
that  it  contains."' — Literary  JForld. 

"  We  have  been  greatly  edified  and  entertained  by  this  b<y>k.  from  which  tho 
wader  will  collect  a  great  deal  of  excellent  information.—  The  Independent. 

"  This  in  probably  the  most  complete  manual  of  the  kind  ever  published.  It  will 
richly  repay  the  general  reader,  too,  by  the  variety  of  interesting  facts  it  con- 
tains.'"— Boston  Traveller. 

"  It  is  a  most  excellent  and  useful  treatise,  and  happily  supplies  a  vacuum 
that  had  long  existed."— Boston  Times. 

"This  volumo  has  all  the  charm  of  a  romance  and  admirably  displays  tho 
habits  of  this  insect." — O^-gan. 

"This  volumo  is  what  it  pretends  to  be.  (more  than  can  be  said  of  many  works) 
and  all  who  want  a  full  and  thorough  history  of  the  nature  and  management  of 
of  tho  bee  should  have  it  in  their  possession." — Scientific  American. 

"  It  is  neatly  printed,  well  illustrated  and  clearly  written  and  contains  a  great 
doal  of  practical  information." — Mirror. 

'•This  work  probably  contains  better  instructions  in  regard  to  bees  than  any 
which  have  ever  appeared.'' — Sun. 

"  The  practical  directions  are  the  result  of  evident  experience,  and  being 
plainly  and  rojoisely  stated,  are  excellent.  It  is  so  much  better  than  can  b« 
obtained  ebiwb^ro  that  wo  commend  it  to  favor." — JV.  Y.  Evangelist. 

'•  It  is  an  excellent  book  and  tho  best  published  on  tl  e  subject."—  Boston  CMit* 
Brmnek. 


AN 


ESSAY    ON    MANURES, 

SUBMITTED  TO  THE  TRUSTEES  OF 

THE    MASSACHUSETTS    SOCIETY 


PROMOTING     AGRICULTURE, 

FOR   THEIK    PREMIUM. 

BY    SAMUEL    L.    DANA. 


_^^u^^_ 


From  the  New  York  Observer: 
Essay  on  Manures.    By  Samuel  L.  Dana 

This  Essay  contains  much  useful  information  for  the  practical  farmer,  in  a 
small  compass,  in  reference  to  the  nature  and  management,  of  man-urea  imme- 
diately under  his  control ;  the  knowledge  and  practice  of  which  will  amply  com- 
pensate for  the  expense  of  ascertaining  its  value. 


NEW    YORK: 
C.    M.   SAXTON,    123    FULTON    STREET. 

ALSO,    STRINGER    A    TOWNSEND,    H.    LONG    A    BROTHER,    W.    K.    BUR 

GESS.    DEWITT    A    DAVENPORT,    WILSON    A    CO.,  DEXTER    A 

BROTHER.    BOSTON  :  REDDING  A  CO.     PHILADELPHIA  : 

W.    B.    ZIEBER,    LINDSAY    A    BLAKISTON. 


lN"iO. 


THE 

AMERICAN  BIRD  FANCIER; 

CONSIDERED    WITH  REFERENCE  TO  THE 

URICIJDING,  REARING,  FEEDING,  MANAGEMENT,  AND  PECULIARITIES" 

OF 

CAGE  AND  HOUSE  BIRDS. 

Illustrated,  with  Engravings 


BROWNE, 


*rTnon    OF    TIIK    SYLVA   AMERICANA,   THE    AMERICAN  rOULTRY   YARI1,    ETC, 


NEW    YORK: 

0.  M.  SAXTON,  123  FULTON  STREET. 

M.SO,  STRINGER  <fc  TOWNSEND,    H.  LONG  &  BROTHER,  W.   F.  BURGESR, 

DEWI'IT    it    DAVENPORT,    WILSON    <t    CO.,    DEXTER    A    BROTHER. 

PHILADELPHIA  I    W.   B.   ZIEBER,   LINDSAY    <fc    BLAK1ST0N. 

B  0  S  T  O  N  :      R  E  D  D  I  N  G     &     CO. 

1850. 


THE 

FAMILY  KITCHEN  GARDENER 

CONTAINING 

PLAIN  AND  ACCURATE  DESCRIPTIONS 

OF    ALL    THE 

DIFFERENT  SPECIES  AND  VARIETIES 

OF 

CUZiZNAHY       VEGETABLES: 


BY     ROBERT     BUIST, 

AUTHOR  OF  THE  AMKR1CAN  FLOWER-GARDEN  DIRECTORY,  ROSE  MANUAL,  ETC. 

NEW      YORK: 
C.  M.  SAXTON,  123  FULTON  STREET, 

ALSO,   STRINGER  &  TOWNSEND,   II.    LONG   <fc   BROTHER,   W.   F.    BITO- 
OESS,   DEW1TT  A   DAVENTORT,   WILSON   4   CO.,    DEXTER  £ 
BROTHER.    BOSTON  :    REDDING  A  CO.     PHILADELPHIA  : 
W.   B.   2IEBER,   LINDSAY   A   BLAIUSTON. 


1850 


A    PRACTICAL    TREATISE 

ON    THE 

CULTIVATION  OF  THE   GRAPE  VINE 

ON    OPEN    WALLS. 

WITH    A    DESCRIPTIVE    ACCOUNT    OF    AN 

IMPROVED  METHOD  OF  PLANTING  AND  MANAGING 

THE 

ROOTS    OF    GRAPE    VINES. 

BY     CLEMENT     HOARE. 

TO    WHICH    IS    ADDED, 

AN    APPENDIX, 

CONTAINING 

REMARKS  ON  THE  CULTURE  OF  THE  GRAPE  VINE  IN 
THE  UNITED  STATES. 


NEW     YORK: 
C.  M.  SAXTON,  123  FULTON  STREET. 

1851. 


LECTURES 

ON    THK 

GENERAL   RELATIONS  WHICH    SCIENCE 

BEARS    TO 

PRACTICAL  AGRICULTURE, 

DELIVERED    BEFORE    THE 

NEW-YORK  STATE  AGRICULTURAL  SOCIETY. 


BY 


JAMES  F.  W.  JOHNSTON,  F.R.SS.  L.&E. 


WITH  NOTES   AND  ADDITIONS. 


NEW  YORK : 

C.  M.  SAXTON,  AGRIULTURAL  BOOKSELLER, 

123  FULTON   STREET. 


NEW-YORK  AGRICULTURAL  WAREHOUSE 

AND    SEED    STORE. 

A.  B.  ALLEN  &  CO., 

189  &  191  WATER  STREET,  NEW -YORK. 


Farmers  rianters.  and  Gardeners  will  find  in  our  Warehouse,  the  largest  and 
most  complete  assortment  of  Agricultural  and  Horticultural  Implements.  Fie.d 
and  Garden  Seeds.  Fertilizers,  Fruit  and  Ornamental  Trees.  &c,  &c,  in  New- 
York  \  few  of  the  articles  we  enumerate  below.  Our  implements  are  mostly- 
made' up"  from  new  and  highly-improved  patterns,  and  are  warranted  to  te  of 
the  best  materials,  put  together  in  the  strongest  manner,  and  of  superior  finish. 
Plows   -Of  these  we  have  upwards  of  FIFTY  different  kinds,  among  which 

are   Cotton,  Rice,  and  Sugar  Plow;  at $2  to _4.50 

Two  and  Four 
Horse  Plows,  of  dif- 
ferent sizes,  and  for 
all  kinds  of  soils — 
stony,  sandy,  loam, 
or  clay  ;  also  for 
stubble  and  sward 
land.  Some  of  these 
have  patent  clevies 
attached  to  them, 
thus     enabling     the 


Subsoil    Plow,  with  Wheel,  Dial-Clevis,  and  Draft-Rod. 
W«1k  ob  the  solid  ground,  instead  cl  a  mirji   tresh-plowed  furrow.     Others  are 


New   York  Agricultural   Wareltouse. 


adapted  to  trench-plowing,  enabling  the  farmer  to  turn  up  virgin  earth  in  a  deep 
soil.  These  plows  are  strong  enough  to  grub  up  roots,  heavy  bogs,  &c.  ™<»t 
likewise  answer  for  shallow  ditching ••• $5  to  $» 


One  Horse  Plow  for  the  North,  with  single  and  Double  Mold-Boards.  The 
last  are  admirable  to  work  between  the  rows  of  root  crops  and  corn,  when  not 
over  3>i  feet  apart,  as  they  turn  the  furrow  both  ways,  thus  doing  double  the 
work  of  a  single  mold-board  •  ..$3  to$6 


Cultivator  with  Wheel. 


Sef.d  Sower 
should  be  without  them 

Subsoil  Plows  for 
deep  plowing  §5.50 
to  16.00. 

Double  Mold-Board 
or  Fluke  Plows  for 
furrowing  to  plant, 
cultivate  and  ditch  ; 
and  the  largest  made 
expressly  for  pant- 
ing the  sugar  cane, 
$3.50  to  9.00. 

Side- JIM  Shifting 
Mold- Board  or  Swiv- 
el Plows,  for  turning 
the  furrow  in  cither 
direction,  $5.00  to 
16.00. 

Paring  Plows,  for 
shaving  off  the  turf 
preparatory  to  burn- 
ing 315.00. 

Harrows. — A  com- 
pletJ  assortment  of 
square,  triangle,  and 
double  triangle  fold- 
ing, harrows,  with 
wrought  iron  oi 
iteel  pointed  teeth. 
JO  to  16.00, 


Some  of  these  plows  are  made 
expressly  for  light  sandy  soils, 
others  for  a  loam,  or  stiff  clay, 
which  they  work  in  the  best 
manner.  Being  made  by  patent 
machinery,  they  are  superior  to 
anything  of  the  kind  ever  before 
sold  in  this  market. 

Rice  Trenching  Plow. — This  does 
the  same  work  as  the  hands  per- 
form on  a  rice  plantation  with 
trenching  hoes,  equally  well,  and 
with  much  greater  rapidity  than  a 
negro  can  work.  No  Planter 
, $6  to  6.50 


SiiUA&t  Harrow. 


New   York  Agricultural  Warehouse. 

Rollers  of  various  kinds— wood,  stone,  or  iron  ;  single  or  double  ;  and  to  move 


ojr  hand  or  horse-power. 


$10  to  $65. 


Field  Roller. 

Cultivators,  hand  or  horse,  of  various  patterns %|3A«n.t0oK^ 

Horse-Powers.— Endless  chain,  single  horse -.7  5^0  0to85.ou 

«  b  two-horse 100.00  to  120.00 

«  Cast-iron,  single  or  two-horse 50.00  to  60.00 

«  <<  four-horse 900° 

Grain  Threshers X£X 

«  with  Separators 35.00  to  50.00 

Clover-Mills,  for  cleaning  seed 30.00  to  6o.B0 

fannina-Mills.  for  winnowing  grain ,„  ™  ♦    i.is'nn 

Burr-stone  Mills,  for  grinding  grain 30.00  to  liiJAW 

Cast-iron  Mills,  a  new  and   most  admirable   invention.    They  work  either   dj^ 
hand  or  other  power,  and  are  well  adapted  for  grinding  all  kinds  of  grain,  excep. 


Rim-Horse  Power. 

flouring  wheat  for  market .8.00  to  30.00 

Corn  and  Cob  Crushers,  for  grinding  cob  m  the  ear 30.00  to  60.00 

Sugar  Crushers,  for  pulverizing  sugar 7.50  to  20.00 

Paint  Mills,  of  various  patterns .....7.00  to  17.00 

Com  Shelters.— Will  shell  from  50   to  200  bushels  of  ears  per  hour,  in  the  best 

manner.    These  work  by  horse  or  other  power 30.00  to  50.0e 

The  same  worked  by  hand,  made  of  wood  or  cast-iron 5.00  to  10.90 

Vegetable  Cutters,  for  slicing  potatoes,  beets,  turnips,  &c 8,00  to  12.00 


New-York  Agricultural   Warehouse. 


This  cut  represents 
a  valuable  iron  mill, 
very  efficient  and  du- 
rable, to  run  either  by 
hand  or  horse  power. 
With  the  latter,  it  can 
be   made   to   grind    4 
bushels  of  grain  fine 
per  hour,  and  a  greater 
quantity     if      coarse. 
It  is  simple,  and  not 
liable  to  get  out  of  re- 
pair;   and  when    the 
plates,  or  grinding  sur- 
faces   are   worn    out, 
they,  can  be  replaced 
by    others  at  a  small 
cost.     These   can    al- 
ways be  had  with  the 
machine. 


Hand  and  Horse  Grain  Mill.— #25. 


This  mill  is  used  fof 
grinding  grain,  coffee,  and 
spices  as  desired.  It  is 
usually  operated  by  hand, 
though  it  can  be  construct- 
ed to  run  by  other  power. 
It  grinds  from  one  to  two 
bushels  per  hour.  When 
the  plates,  or  grinding  sur- 
faces, are  worn  out,  they 
can  be  replaced  as  in  the 
foregoing  machine 


Hand  Grain  Mill.—  £5.50  to 


New  York  Agricultural  Warehouse. 


Straw-Cutters. — Common  hand 3.00  i.i    8.0U 

,!  Cylindrical,  with  spi- 

ral    and      straight 

blades 8.00  to  30.00 

Gorn-stalk    Cutters.— Marshall^,    Sin- 
clair's,   Thorn's,    and 

others, 12.01  to  45.00 

Cotton-Gins,  of  various  patterns,....  25.00  to  150,00 

Ox,  Hood,  or  Dirt  Scrapers. 4.50  to  5.00 

Self-acting    Cheese   Press — a  neat    and 
very      superior     and 

simple  article, 6.50 

Seed  Sotcers,  various  patterns 8.00  to  15.00 

Corn-Planters,  ^rill  plant  10  acres  per 

i^fey,  ty  ov«    ~.s.n, 16.00 

Horticultural  ^^m:hest3  complete, 18. 0° 

W hcclbarrow^^Ptjardcns . .. ..  4.50  to  5.0" 

\      •'  ^^anal,   Dirt,  or  Tray,  2.25  to  3.5° 

Tree  o-  «".sn  Pullers.  $1-00  to  6.00  ;  Garden  Syrin- 
{res.  1.00  to  6.S0  ;  Grain  Cradles,  3.00  to  5.5;) ;  Sausage 
.  Stuflers,  4.50  to  5.00  :  Lactometers.  2.50  to  5.00  ;  Bee- 
chives,  3.50  to  6.50  ;  Ox-Yokes  and  Bows.  2. .50  to5  00  ; 
Manure-Korks,  63cts.to  4.00  ;  Hay  ditto, 50 cts.  to  1  00; 
Grain  and   Grass  Scythes,  75  cents  to  1.00  ;  Swingle 
Trees,  1.00   to   3.50  ;  Hay  and   Straw-Knives.   1.00    to 
■2-00  ;  Axes— Collins1,  Hunt's,  and   Simons",  handled, 
1.00,  to  1.50  ;  Grubbing  Hoes.  50  cents  to  1.00  ;  l'icks, 
1.00   to   2.00;    Trace    Chains,   75    rents  to  1  UO  ;    Ox 
Chains— American  9  to  11>£  cents   per   lb.  ;    Shovels 
and  Spades,  75  cents   to    1.50  ;  Tree  Scrapers.  31  to 
75  cents  ;  Schuftiing  Hoes,  25  cents  to  1.00  ;  Churns, 
various   patterns,  2.00  to  4  00;  Grafting  Chisels  and 
Saw,  handled,  2.00  ;  Hoes,  all 
patterns,  25   cents   to    100, 
Potato    Hooks.    50   cents   to 
1.50  ;    Potato   Forks,   1.00   to 
2.00  ;  Garden  Keels.  75  cts.  , 
Sickles,  37  to  03  cents  ;  Grass 
Shears,  1.25  to    1.50  ;    Twig 
Cutters,    50   cents   to    2.0U  ; 
Vine    Scissors.    6?     ecu's.  ; 
Pruning  Shears,  2.00  ;  Screw 
Wrenches.     1.50     to     3.00  ; 
&    HHKA  W^^-^T^  \W?M  Sheep   shoarfij    "•'    cents    to 

tffi,«i»\ft(S*I  I    11 11  1.25;   Strawberry   Korks,  37 

cents  ;  Scythe  Rifles.  Hakes, 
various  patterns  and  various 
prices  ;    Peat   Knives,    1.50  ; 
Ox   .Muzzles,  31    to  50  cents 
per  pair  ;  Ox  Bows,  31  to  50 
cenls  ;     Hatchets.   50   to   75 
cents  ;  Horse  Brushes.  Ham- 
mors.  Axe   Handles,    Grind- 
stones,   Holler?,    Crank   and 
si;  tfts,     1  lower     Gatherers, 
!  lails   I'.dging  Knives,  Cattle 
Tie-chains,  Bull  Kings.  But- 
ter Boxes.  Bush  Hooks,  Ca- 
terpillar     Brushes,     Fleams, 
Scoops,      Ox       Balls.       Post 
Spoons.      Garden     Trowels. 
Spinning-wheel  Heads,  Well 
Wheels,  Oven  Mouths,  Budding  Knives,  Pruning  ditto,  &c.  Cattle  Ties,  ko. 
Castings  of  all  the  different  parts  of  Plows,  at  4  to  6  cents  per  lb. 
Gin  Segments  and  Heavy  Castings  of  all  descriptions  made  to  order. 
Harrow  Teeth  and  Iron  Work  of  different  kinds  made  to  order  in  the  cheapest 
best  manner. 

Steam  Engines,  S  gar-Boilers.  Sugar  Mills,   Kettles.  Caiudrons,   <S  ;.,   for  p'luU 
tions. 


New   York  Agricultural  Warehouse. 


Fire  Engines.  Farcing  Pumpt  tj 
Large  and  Small' Size,  Water  Hams,  ire. 

Cast  Iron  Water  Pipe  from  1  to  12  in- 
ches diameter,  both  sleeve  or  socket, 
and  flange,  3  to  4  cts.  per  lb. 

Wire-Cloth  and  Sieves.— Different 
kinds  and  sizes  kept  constantly  on 
hand. 

Wire  of  all  sizes  for  Fences. 

Wagons.  Carts,  both  Hand  and  Jforte, 
and  Trucks  of  all  sizes. 

Leavensworth''s  Patent  California  Gold 
Washers,  the  best  ever  constructed, 
will  do  the  work  of  100  men,  and  go 
either    by   horse   or  hand  power,   $30 

t0  $e;a  ,   „  ,  •   j, 

Gold  Digging  Implements  of  all  kinds, 

picks,    crow- bars,    hoes,     shovels,  &c. 

Gold  Testers,  Retorts.  Crucibles,  Fur- 
naces, &c,  &c,  of  all  kinds. 

Blasting  Tools.  Drills.  Chisels,  &C. 

Lead  Pipe  of  various  sizes  and  thick 
ness,  at  6  to  7  cts.  per  lb. 

Leather,  India  Rubber  and  Gutta 
Percha  Hose,  of  all  sizes. 

Seeds  for  the  Field  and  Garden.-Sach  as  improved  Winter  and  Spring  Wheat 
Rvp  Barlev  Oats  Corn.  Beans.  Peas.  Rutabaga,  Turnip,  Cabbage,  Beet,  Carrot, 
PaVsrdp Clover and  Grass  Seeds,  improved  Varieties  of  Potatoes,  &c,  &c,  &c. 
These  are  warranted  fresh  and  superior  of  their  kind. 

Fertilhers. -Vernwian  and  Patagonian  Guano,  Lime,  Plaster  of  Pans,  Bono  Dust, 

*tc-'  &c*  ^n  Fruit  and  Ornamen- 

tal Trees  and  Shrubs. 
—Orders  taken  for 
these,  and  executed 
from  a  choice  of  the 
best  Nurseries,  Gar- 
dens,  and  Conserva- 
^^  tories  in  the  United 
—  States. 

Horses,  Cattle.  Sheep 

"        —     and      Stcine.— Orders 
..nuimiiiuilUUiiUlUlllllllUllllllUillllllllV  received  for  stock  of 
Sausage  Stcffer.  all  kinds,  to  be  exe- 

cuted to  the  best  advantage,  and  shipped  in  the  most  careful  manner. 


Bal 


per  Stills  Complete— Iron  Chests,  Brick  Machines, 
Mills. 


Tvur 


Portable  Furnaces— Blacksmiths'  Bellows,  Sledges, 
Hammers.  Tongs.  &c. 

Whitney's  Celebrated  Bucna  Vista  Rifles,  with  Molds, 
and  all  extras,  Tercussion  Caps,  &c,  &c,  &c. 

Post-hole  Augers— Ornamental  Fountains,  Iron  Garden 
Chairs,  Garden  Engines,  Morticing  Machines. 

Bullets  of  all  sizes,  and  Buck  Shot,  8  cts.  per  lb. 

Agricultural  Books.— X  varied  and  general  assort- 
ment of  these  for  sale. 

Js'ew  Impltmenls.  Seel*,  $c— The  subscribers  request 
samples  sent  to  them  of  any  new  or  improved  Imple- 
ments, Seeds.  &c  ,  which,  if  found  valuable,  extra  paine 
will  be  taken  to  bring  them  before  the  public. 

Produce  on  Consignment.— All  kinds  of  Produce  will 
be  received  for  sale  on  consignment. 

A  discount  will  be  made  from  the  above  prices  to  dealers. 

A  Catalogue  of  over  100  pages,  with  numerous  en- 
gravings, cantaining  a  part  of  our  Implements,  with 
prices,  will  be  forwarded  by  mail,  if  requested  post 
paid. 

A.  B.  ALLEN,  &.  Co.. 
189  and  191  Water  street,  New  York 


New- York  Agricultural   Warehouse. 


Fanning  Mill.— $11  to  $27. 


Considering  the  simplicity  of  its  construction,  and  complete  efficiency 
in  all  its  operations,  we  think  the  above  mill  is  the  best  in  use  It 
has  taken  the  first  premiums  for  three  successive  years  at  the  State 
Agricultural  Society's  Shows,  and  various  county  fairs. 


We  have  this 
pattern  made 
large,  strong, 
and  fitted  to  go 
by  horse  power. 
One  has  cut  a 
ton  of  hay  in  50 
minutes,  by  a 
fair  trial,  and 
may  be  relied 
upon  for  cutting 
a  ton  in  an  hour 
and  a  quarter. 


Spiral  Straw  Cutter.— $6.50  to  $25. 


New-York  Agricultural   Warelwuse. 


Burr-Stone  Mill. 
COACHES— $700  to  #1000.  #35  to  #150. 


Folding  Ladder  . 
30  cts.  per  foot. 


GARDEN     IMPLEMENTS 
J  a  r    £  a  fc  i  1 0 . 

A.    B.     ALLEN    &    CO., 

189  AND  191  WATER  STREET,  NEW  YORK. 


*? 


Thk  subscribers  keep  constantly  on  hand  and  offer  for  sale,  at  their  Agricultural  Warehouse 
and  Seed  Store,  the  largest  assortment  of  Agricultural  and  Horticultural  Implements,  Field 
and  Garden  Seeds  to  be  found  in  the  United  States,  among  which  are  included  the  following : — 

Ladies'  Pruning  Shears. 

Fig.  I.  denotes  a  small  pair  of  shears  which  are  very  useful  for  trimming  box  trees  and 
bushes,  as  well  as  for  many  other  purposes. 

Fig.  2.  shows  another  pair  of  pruning  shears  with  wooden  handles,  which  are  handsomely 
and   finely  made  ;    they  are   very  con- 
venient lor  trimming  shrubbery,   &c, 
that  is  too  large  to  be  cut  by  tiie  scis- 
sors or  hand  shears. 

Fig  3.  represents  a  pair  of  iron-handled 
shears,  designed  for  pruning  raspber- 
ries, rose  bushes,  &c.  They  have  a 
sliding  centre  and  spring,  .and  mako  a 
perfectly  smooth  cut. 


Fig.  5.  represent*  a  Triangular  Iloe ;  Fig.  6,  a  Garden  Rake  ;  Fig.  7,  a  Pruning  Saw  and  Chls- 
ei ;  Fie.  8,  u  Garden  Syringe  ;  Fig.  9,  a  Fork-backed  Hoe ;  Fig.  10,  a  Fruit  Gatherer ;  Fig.  11, 
a  Garden  Trowel ;  Fig.  U,  a  light  Garden  Spade. 


Fig.  7. 


Fio.  8.  "  Fio.  9. 


Fig.  10. 


Fio.  11. 


Fio.  12. 


Besides  the  foregoing,  our  Establishment  embraces  more  than  ONE  HUNDRED  different 
kinds  of  Plows,  a  great  variety  of  Harrows,  Cultivators,  Rollers,  Seed  Sowers,  Horse  Powers, 
Threshing  Machines,  Mills,  Corn-Stalk,  Straw,  and  Hay  Cutters,  Com  Shelters,  Shovels,  Spades, 
Hoes.  Scvthes,  Rakes,  Knives,  &c.  .  . 

jBso,  Seeds  For  the  Field  and  Garden.— Such  aslmnrqved  Winter  and  Spring  Wheat,  Rye. 
Peas,  Rutabaga,  Turnip,  Cabbage,  Beet,  Carrot,  Parsnip;  Clover,  and  Grass  Seeds,  4*^.,  &c. 

Fertiliser.".— Peruvian  and  Patasoninu  Guano,  lame,  Plaster  of  Paris,  &c,  &c. 

Fruit  and  Ornamental  Trees  and  Shrubs.— Orders  taken  for  these,  and  executed  from  a 
choice  of  the  best  Nurseries,  Gardens,  and  Conservatories  in  the  United  States. 

A.  B.  ALLEN  &.  CO.,  189  and  191  Water  st  New  York. 


The  AMERICAN  AGRICULTURIST,  a  monthly  publication  of  32  pages,  octavo  ;  wnh  mi- 
ni, tons  handsome  Embellishments.  It  is  designed  for  the  improvement  of  the  Farmer,  the 
Planter,  the  Stock-Breeder,  and  the  Horticulturist.  Edited  by  A.  B.  &  R.  L.  Allen.  Publish.-,] 
bj  G  U.  SAITOH.  New  York.  Price  $1  a  year.  Volume  Ninth  commenced  January  l.-i., 
1850.  Back  volumes  for  sale,  handsomely  and  uniformly  bound.    Price  §1.25. 

fljyAnv  one  procuring  Cash  Orders  for  goods  in  the  Warehouse,  or  Subscription*  for  th« 
American  "Agriculturist,  will  be  allowed  a  liberal  commission. 


THE  TIB 

■I1TOPGK  I  .  IV  {  )!?!&&' 


I 


S585 
T62o 
1851 


